'-LSI- 


I  SOCIETY  OF  INQUIRY  5  I 
LIBRA.RY 

OF   TUE 

Theological   Seminary, 

PRINCETON,    N.  J. 

^  BV  3269  .L92  F34  1837 

^  Fairchild,  Ashbel  G.  1795 

,Si   1864. 

Memoir   of   Mrs.    Louisa  A. 
■K       Lov/rie,    of    the    Northern 


<?/-Vaw/   jz- 


/Z.  A-. 


MEMOIR 

OF  y 

MRS.  LOUISA  A.  LOWRIE, 

OF   THE    NORTHERN   INDIA    MISSION  : 


REV.  ASHBEL  G.  FAIRCHILD. 


WITH   AN    INTRODUCTION, 


REV.  ELISHA  P.  SWIFT. 


SECOND   EDITION,   REVISED  AND   ENLARGED. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
WILLIAM   S.   MARTIEN, 

CORNER  OF  SEVENTH  AND  GEORGE  STREETS. 

1837. 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1837, 
by  J.  C.  Lowrie,  in  trust  for  the  Presbyterian  Foreign  Mission- 
ary Society,  in  the  office  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Eastern  District 
of  Pennsylvania. 


CONTENTS. 

Page. 
Memoir,  &c 19 

Letter  to  Miss  J.  I.  P.,  November  2d,  1828,  21 
Extract  of  a  letter  to  Miss  M.  A.  N.  Dec.  8, 1829, 25 
Letter  to  Miss  J.  I.  P.,  Dec.  11,  1829,  .  .  27 
Letter  to  Miss  M.  A.  N.,  May  1,  1830,  .         29 

Journal,  May,  June,  and  July,  1830,     .  33—48 

Letter  to  Miss  F.  W.  N.,  July  30,  1830,  48 

Extract  of  letter  to  Miss  M.  A.  N.,  Aug.  2, 1830,  50 
Journal,  August,  1830,  ....        52 

Extract  of  a  letter  to  Miss  M.  A.  N.,  Aug.  1830,    53 
Do,  do.  do.  Oct.  22,  54 

Journal,  Oct.  and  Nov.  1830,  ...  55 
Extract  of  letter  to  Miss  M.  A.  N.  Dec.  1, 1830,  58 
Letter  to  Miss  F.  W.  N.  Feb.  15,  1831,  .  60 
Extract  of  letter  to  Miss  M.  A.N.,  May  16,1831,  62 
Do.  do.  do.  June  2,     .        63 

Letter  to  Miss  F.  W.  N.,  June  8,  1831,  .  65 
Journal,  June,  1831,  .....  67 
Extract  of  letter  to  Miss  F.  W.  N.,  June  15, 1831,  71 
Journal,  June  and  July,  1831,  .  .  72 — 82 
Extract  of  letter  to  Mrs.  M.  VV.,  Dec.  30,  1831,  82 
Extract  of  letter  to  Mrs.  A.  P.  C,  March  22, 1832,  83 
Journal,  June  and  July,  1832,  .  .  85 — 86 
Letter  to  Mrs.  M.  W.,  Aug.  1, 1832,  .  .  86 
Letter  to  the  Rev.  N.  Wilson,  .        .        92 

Journal,  August  and  September,  1832,  .  97 — 102 
Letter  to  the  Rev.  N.  Wilson,  Sept.  1,  1832,  97 
Extract  of  letter  to  a  friend — {no  date,)  .  102 
Extract  of  a  letter  to  Mrs.  M.  W.,  .  .  105 
Extract  of  letter  to  a  friend,  Sept.  18,  1832,  .  107 
Letter  to  Mrs.  A.  P.  C,  Oct.  6,  1832,  .  .  109 
Letter  to  a  Lady  in  Weeeling,  Oct  1832,  .  Ill 
Journal,  October,  1832,  .  .  .  .115 
Various  Extracts,  ....      119—131 

Letter  to  Mrs.  M.  W.,  Dec.  28,  1832,    .        .       131 


CONTENTS. 

Page. 
Letter  to  a  Lady  in  Wheeling-,  Jany.  5,  1833,  133 
Journal,  January,  1833,  ....  136 
Letter  to  Mrs.  M.  W.,  Jan.  15,  1833,  .  .  137 
Extract  of  letter  to  Miss  C.  B.,  Feb.  13,  1833,  142 
Extract  of  letter  to  G.  W.  W.,  March  2, 1833,  143 
Extract  of  a  letter  to  a  friend,  .         .       135 

Extract  of  letter  to  Miss  J.  J.  P.,  March  16, 1833,- 146 

Journal,  April,  1833, 148 

Letter  to  Mrs.  M.  A.  W.,  April  27, 1833,  .  149 
Letter  to  Miss  J.  I.  P.,  May  3d,  1833,  .  .  151 
Extract  of  letter  to  a  Lady  in  Wheeling-,  .  156 
Letter  to  Miss  A.  E.  P.,  May  17,  1833,        .       157 

Scraps  from  Albums, 160 

Journal,  May  23—26,  1833,  ...       162 

Note  to  Mrs.  A.  P.  C,  May  27,  1833,  .  .  163 
Journal,  May  27,  and  28,  1833,  .  .  .165 
Farewell  Meeting-  in  Philadelphia,  .  .  166 
Journal,  May  28  and  29,  183-3,  .  .  .  .  171 
Extract  of  letter  from  Dr.  M.  .S.,  .  .  173 
Extract  of  letter  to  E.  C.  Wilson,  May  30,  1833,  174 
Journal,  May  and  June,  1833,  .  .  175—178 
Letter  to  Hon.  E.  C.  Wilson,  June  18,  1833,  178 
Letter  to  the  same,  June  29,  ...  181 
Letter  to  Mrs.  H.  July  12,  1833,  .        .       187 

Journal,  July,  1833, 190 

Letter  to  Miss  R.  C,  Aug.  5,  1833,  .  .  194 
Letter  to  Mrs.  A.  P.  C,  Auor.  13,  1833,  .  198 
Extract  of  letter  from  Rev.  J.  C.  Lowrie,  Sept. 

8,1833, 201 

Note  to  Mrs.  R.  C,  Sept.  26,  1833,  .  .  203 
Mr.  Lowrie's  Journal,  October,  1833,  .  206—213 
Lines  written  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pearce,  .  208 
Mrs.  Lowrie's  Last  Hours,  .  .  .  209 — 213 
Letter  from  Rev.  J.  C.  Lowrie,  Nov.  26,  1833,  213 
Extract  of  letter  from  Mr.  Lowrie  to  Miss  J.  I.  P. 

and  Miss  C.  B 216 

Concluding  Remarks, 219 


INTRODUCTIOiN. 

Man  is,  in  himself,  a  lost,  ruined, 
and  perishing  sinner.  Of  this  fact, 
the  world  is  full  of  the  most  convinc- 
ing evidence.  The  Bible  professes  to 
reveal  to  us  God's  true  and  only  sys- 
tem of  salvation.  This  is  a  dispen- 
sation of  hfe  to  guilty  man  through  a 
Mediator,  and  it  is  also  a  distinct  prac- 
tical principle  of  the  heart  and  life, 
developing  itself  by  the  production  of 
a  free  self-consecration  of  its  recipients 
to  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  well-being 
of  mankind.  Its  vital  power — its  as- 
cendency over  the  inner  man,  in  the 
production  of  pure  and  holy  principles 
and  actions,  is  an  essential  evidence 
of  one's  interest  in  its  blessings ;  while 
the   most  abundant   and   convincing 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 

manifestations  of  it  to  others  becomes 
the  surest  way  by  which  its  great  Au- 
thor is  honoured  and  the  world  im- 
proved. Hence  the  hves  of  devoted 
Christians  become  useful  and  instruc- 
tive, just  in  proportion  as  they  are 
truly  and  wisely  conformed  to  the 
great  pattern;  and  the  examples  and 
biographies  of  eminent  believers  stimu- 
late the  pious  in  the  path  of  duty,  and 
impress  the  consciences  of  the  wick- 
ed with  a  sense  of  their  criminality. 

Periods  of  great  trial  and  persecu- 
tion in  the  world,  and  seasons  in  which 
God  has,  by  his  providence,  especially 
called  forth  the  visible  power  of  reli- 
gion, or  remarkably  poured  out  his 
Spirit  upon  the  earth,  for  its  increase, 
have  been  most  distinguished  for  the 
development  of  the  Christian  principle. 
The  present  state  of  the  world  is  pe- 
culiarly favourable  to  its  useful  display 


INTRODUCTION.  Vll 

in  judicious  and  disinterested  efforts 
to  bring  millions  of  benighted  and 
perishing  sinners  into  the  kingdom  of 
God.  The  temporal  and  eternal  bene- 
fits which  the  gospel  can  impart  to  the 
heathen  are  beyond  all  computation  : 
and  the  Bible,  while  it  urges  the  duty 
of  its  immediate  dissemination,  pledges 
its  own  veracity  for  the  certainty  that 
it  shall  eventually  overspread  the 
world.  The  events  of  providence  are 
now  more  and  more  distinctly  every 
year  indicating  the  near  approach  of 
that  joyful  consummation. 

The  labour  and  the  self-denial,  how- 
ever, which  a  personal  engagement  in 
the  missionary  service  in  foreign  lands 
requires,  is  so  great,  and  the  zeal  of 
the  disciples  to  spread  the  triumphs  of 
the  cross  among  remote  and  barbar- 
ous tribes  of  men  is  so  small,  that  it 
must  be  long  indeed  before  such  a  re- 


Vlll  INTRODUCTION. 

suit  can  be  anticipated,  unless  there  is 
a  very  great  increase  of  the  true  heroic 
and  enterprising  spirit  of  primitive 
times.  Whatever  tends  to  promote 
this,  and  to  deepen  the  longing  de- 
sires of  the  visible  family  of  God  that 
His  "kingdom  may  come'^^  and  His 
''will  be  done''''  in  the  ''dark  places'''^ 
of  the  earth,  should  be  earnestly  en- 
couraged. There  are  therefore  three 
ends  which  may  be  proposed  in  the  act 
of  consecration  to  the  w^ork  of  Foreign 
Missions,  on  the  part  of  a  sincere  and 
devoted  servant  of  Christ.  This  rpay 
be  chosen  like  any  other  form  of  chris- 
tian action,  to  exemplify  the  practical 
injluence  of  real  piety — or,  from  a  de- 
sire by  a  sincere  and  cordial  and  self- 
denied  example  of  this  sort,  to  aid  and 
countenance  the  important  and  too  much 
neglected  duty  of  carrying  the  gospel  to 
the  heathen^  or  finally  from  the  hope  of 


INTRODUCTION.  IX 

a  direct  and  immediate  uscfidness  to  the 
heathen  themselves.  The  two  former 
of  these  objects  will  be  attamed  wher- 
ever love  to  Christ  and  holy  principle 
is  the  moving  cause,  however  brief  or 
disastrous  may  be  the  effort  itself.  It 
is  a  great  mistake  therefore  to  suppose 
that  the  great  moral  ends  of  the  under- 
taking are  defeated,  when  the  heralds 
of  Christianity  are  cut  down  by  the 
stroke  of  death  before  they  enter  upon 
the  work;  or  where  no  actual  conver- 
sions have  been  made.  This  would  be 
to  make  the  value  of  every  effort  to 
glorify  the  Redeemer  to  depend  upon 
the  measure  of  success  which  attended 
it,  and  imply  a  course  of  reasoning 
manifestly  incompatible  wdth  fact.  In 
proportion  as  the  readers  of  this  Me- 
moir are  satisfied  of  the  purity  of  the 
motives  and  the  real  genuine  zeal  for 
God  and  the  souls  of  the  heathen,  which 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

actuated  its  subject  in  giving  herself  to 
the  work,  to  that  extent,  certainly,  she 
will  not  have  run  in  vain,  nor  will  the  in- 
terests of  Missions  fail  of  a  just  remune- 
ration. The  moral  effect  of  her  example 
as  a  Christian  will  not  be  lost;  nor  will 
that  purpose  to  bear  a  self-denied  part 
in  the  conversion  of  the  world,  which 
she  was  not  permitted  to  execute  "  by 
reason  of  death,"  be  to  the  heathen, 
as  though  it  had  never  been.  Let  no 
one  say  then,  on  closing  this  narrative 
of  the  short  career  of  one  who,  though 
she  early  gave  herself  to  the  enter- 
prise, did  not  live  to  reach  her  destin- 
ed field,  that  she  went  out  and  died  in 
vain.  She  has  left  a  precious  memo- 
rial of  her  faith,  and  she  has  left  for 
missions  an  example  which  w^ill  long 
be  remembered. 

The    character    and    the   principal 
events  in  the  history  of  Mrs.  Lowrie 


INTRODUCTION.  XI 

will  be  presented  in  the  following 
piges,  and  all  that  this  Introduction 
will  be  expected  to  say  of  her,  will 
consist  of  such  facts  and  impressions 
as  a  brief  acquaintance,  at  the  time 
of  her  embarkation  for  India,   may 

CO 

When  Mrs.Lowrie  accepted  the  pro- 
posal of  spending  her  days  in  India,  she 
was  understood  to  enjoy  an  ordinarily 
sound  and  vigorous  state  of  health. 
During  the  following  winter,  however, 
a  change  occurred,  so  that  at  the  time 
of  her  marriage  and  when,  soon  after, 
she  met  her  associates  in  Philadelphia, 
to  make  immediate  preparations  for  the 
voyage,  she  exhibited  symptoms  of  dis- 
ease sufficient  to  awaken  considerable 
apprehension.  There  appeared  to  be 
the  partial  development  of  the  hectic 
cough,  and  other  indications  of  decline, 
but  it  was  the  opinion  of  the  medical 


Xll  INTRODUCTION. 

gentlemen,  whom  her  friends  consulted, 
that  the  voyage  and  change  of  climate 
would  remove  every  ground  of  ap- 
prehension. To  her  own  mind,  as 
she  stated  in  conversation,  but  a  few 
hours  before  she  sailed  for  India,  there 
appeared  to  be  but  little  probability  of 
such  an  issue,  but  the  prospect  seemed 
to  increase  rather  than  diminish  her 
desire  to  press  forward  as  far  as  she 
could,  in  her  intended  work.  Her  own 
ardent  wishes,  and  the  strong  presump- 
tion, that  if  she  should  be  blessed  with 
a  prosperous  voyage,  she  might  hope 
to  land  in  India  in  as  sound  a  state  of' 
health  as  any  of  her  associates,  toge- 
ther with  the  increasing  improbability 
of  her  living  if  she  remained  in  this 
country,  left  no  room  for  hesitation  as 
to  the  course  to  be  pursued.  Her 
malady  had  not  in  the  mean  time  visi- 
bly wasted  her  strength,  nor  left  any  of 


INTRODUCTION.  Xlll 

the  ordinary  marks  of  its  indelible  im- 
pression ;  and  she  went  forward  with 
her  preparations  and  made  and  re- 
ceived the  calls  and  civilities  of  that 
important  period  like  one  in  perfect 
health. 

In  the  religious  circles  of  Philadel- 
phia, Mrs,  Lowrie  was  at  this  period 
an  object  of  uncommon  interest.  Her 
modest  and  retiring  deportment — the 
candour,  mildness,  and  affection  of 
her  intercourse — the  gravity  and  un- 
affected simplicity  of  her  manners,  and 
the  entire  tranquillity  and  composure 
of  her  mind  amidst  the  exciting  scenes 
of  a  final  separation  from  her  friends 
and  native  land,  united  as  they  were 
with  the  marks  of  an  enfeebled  and 
delicate  state  of  health,  seemed  to 
throw  a  peculiar  attractiveness  around 
her  person.  She  constantly  adverted 
to  the    solemn   and    important    step 


XIV  INTRODUCTION. 

which  she  was  taking,  and  the  danger 
of  improper  motives  in  engaging  in  it, 
and  of  delusive  impressions  as  to  the 
nature  of  the  work;  and  the  state  of 
her  mind,  fully  showed  with  what  ear- 
nestness and  solemnity  she  had  exam- 
ined herself  on  this  point.  The  result 
manifestly  was  that  while  she  possess- 
ed a  clear  conviction  that  she  had 
sincerely  consecrated  her  talents  and 
her  life  to  God  on  the  Missionary  altar, 
she  was  prepared  to  meet  its  separa- 
tions and  its  trials  with  undisturbed 
tranquillity,  and  a  steady  confidence  in 
God. 

These  impressions  she  left  upon  the 
minds  of  all  with  whom  she  was  con- 
versant, when  she  finally  bade  adieu  to 
her  native  shores ;  and  the  composure 
and  spiritual  enjoyment  which  attended 
the  remaininor  months  of  her  abode  on 


INTRODUCTION.  XV 

earth,  will  appear  from  her  letters  and 
her  journal. 

If  we  follow  her  as  she  enters  upon 
this  embassy  of  mercy,  how  touching, 
and  indeed  sublime,  is  the  spectacle! 
Away  upon  the  mighty  ocean,  remote 
alike  from  the  country  of  her  birth 
and  the  abode  of  the  benighted  pagans 
to  whom  she  desires  to  carry  the  word 
of  life,  she  meets  and  suffers  without 
regret  or  despondency,  and  amidst  the 
ceaseless  rocking  and  agitation  of  a 
vessel  at  sea,  the  hngering  exhaustions 
of  a  confirmed  and  wasting  consump- 
tion. Even  here,  her  mind,  still  intent 
upon  glorifying  Jehovah-Jesus  in  the 
spread  of  his  gospel,  and  upon  the 
eternal  good  of  man,  sighs  to  partici- 
pate in  the  toils  and  privations  of  a 
missionary  life,  and  burns  with  a  hal- 
lowed zeal  to  press  forward  to  the 
work ;  while  her  body  broken  down 


4. 
X\i  INTRODUCTION. 

by  disease,  can  no  longer  sympathize 
with  it  in  these  ardent  aspirations,  or 
sustain  its  devoted  tenant  until  she 
reaches  the  destined  field  of  labour. 
Between  the  enlarged  and  heroic  pur- 
poses and  desires  of  the  mind,  and  the 
weakness  and  debility  of  its  outward 
tabernacle,  what  an  affecting  contrast! 
The  Redeemer  looks  down  upon  the 
unmurmuring  sufferer  as  she  is  tossed 
upon  the  great  deep,  and  accepts  the 
willing  offering,  while  she  who  makes 
it  is  released  from  those  cares  and 
hardships  which  it  was  in  her  heart  to 
meet. 

When  Mrs.  Lowrie  arrived  in  Cal- 
cutta she  was  too  much  spent  for  a 
full  exhibition  of  her  character  to  the 
minds  of  the  kind  and  valued  friends 
by  whom  the  mission  was  most  cor- 
dially received.  Her  intelligent  in- 
tercourse, and  ardent  piety  and  affec- 


INTRODUCTION.  XVll 

tionate  simplicity  of  manners,  liad  left 
a  very  deep  impression  upon  the  minds 
of  the  officers  and  all  the  inmates  of 
the  ship,  and  we  have  reason  to  know, 
that  brief  as  was  the  period  of  her 
residence  there,  no  indistinct  traces  of 
the  same  impression  were  left  in  the 
little  circle  of  her  acquaintance  in 
India,  As  her  christian  experience 
had  been  distinguished  by  a  deep,  solid, 
abiding  enjoyment  of  God,  and  a  firm 
hope  in  the  merits  of  the  Redeemer, 
so  her  life  closed  with  a  blessed  assu- 
rance of  her  interest  in  the  promises, 
and  a  sweet  repose  as  it  were  on  the 
Saviour's  bosom. 

"  She  being  dead  yet  speakeih^''  and 
I.  This  brief  Memoir  will,  we  think, 
present  such  exercises  and  devotional 
frames  of  mind,  and  such  marks  of 
the  gracious  injluencc  of  religion  upon 
the   heart   as  will  be  highly  useful  to 


XVlll  INTRODUCTION. 

others^  irrespective  entirely  of  her  mis- 
sionary character. 

The  transforming  power  of  the 
Gospel — its  happy  tendency  to  mould 
the  heart  and  affections,  and  prompt 
to  every  form  of  virtuous  and  benevo- 
lent action,  vt^as  in  her  case  strikingly 
exemphfied.  Young  Christians  espe- 
cially, will  find  in  her  letters  and  jour- 
nal many  useful  hints,  while  the  whole 
will  tend  to  deepen  their  sense  of  the 
practicability  and  the  blessedness  of 
that  habitual  and  intimate  communion 
with  God  which  she  enjoyed. 

Her  biography  we  trust  will  have 
II.  A  tendency  to  illustrate  the  ex- 
cellence and  importance  of  the  union 
of  deep  internal  piety  and  holiness  with 
the  outward  manifestations  of  Christian 
activity  and  visible  consecration  to  God, 
Amidst  the  ardency  of  excitement, 
and  the  air  of  romance  which  is  so 
often  connected  with  the  Foreign  Mis- 


INTRODUCTION.  XIX 

sionary  subject,  there  is  doubtless 
great  need  of  caution.  There  'is  a 
moral  grandeur  in  the  act  of  leaving 
home  and  country,  never  to  see  them 
more;  in  crossing  oceans  and  traver- 
sing remote  and  dangerous  portions 
of  the  globe,  for  the  single  object  of 
the  salvation  of  the  heathen,  which 
upon  a  lively  imagination  and  an  ar- 
dent temperament  is  fitted  to  make 
a  powerful  impression :  and  especially 
when  viewed  in  connection  with  the 
exciting  scenes  which  attend  the  de- 
parture of  these  beloved  servants  of 
Christ  from  the  friends  and  churches 
with  which  they  have  been  conver- 
sant. There  is  great  danger,  there- 
fore, that  a  sort  of  morbid  enthusiasm 
may  lead  persons  to  desire  and  even 
embark  in  the  work,  whose  depth  of 
established  piety,  and  previous  habits 
of  humble  and  devoted  usefulness  may 
not   be  such  as  the  undertaking   re- 


XX  INTRODUCTION. 

quires;  and  to  whom,  after  all,  the 
sober  realities  of  the  service  may 
prove  irksome  and  unpleasant.  If  we 
are  not  deceived,  the  example  of  Mrs. 
Lowrie,  taken  in  connexion  with  the 
history  of  her  Christian  character  here 
given,  will  tend  to  produce  a  very  dif- 
ferent impression  of  the  motives  and 
principles  which  should  be  connected 
with  such  a  consecration. 

Very  soon  after  she  became  saving- 
ly interested  in  the  Redeemer,  she  not 
only  entered  deeply  into  the  realities 
of  a  habitual  communion  with  God, 
but  exemplified  the  principles  of  prac- 
tical Christianity,  in  a  readiness  to 
promote  in  every  possible  way  the 
good  of  all  to  whom  she  could  be  useful. 
In  the  toils  of  Sabbath-school  instruc- 
tion, and  the  labour  of  benevolent  and 
devotional  associations,  she  bore  a 
willing  part,  and  the  house  of  affliction 
and  the  bedside  of  sickness  witnessed 


INTRODUCTION.  XXI 

her  assiduous  endeavours  to  alleviate 
distress,  and  kindly  administer  to  the 
temporal  and  spiritual  wants  of  the 
afflicted.  Thus  in  her  meditative  and 
conscientious  walk  with  God,  and  her 
active  efforts  to  do  good  in  its  hum- 
blest and  most  retired  forms,  we  be- 
hold the  gradual  development  of  just 
such  a  tone  of  piety  as  befits  the  Mis- 
sionary enterprise,  and  as  enables  its 
possessor  to  engage  in  it  without  the 
appearance  of  incongruity.  Let  those 
who  would  share  in  the  delightful  pri- 
vilege of  conveying  the  "Lamp  of 
Life"  to  benighted  souls  in  heathen 
lands,  prayerfully  study  this  subject, 
and  remember  that  a  real  desire  to 
imitate  the  Saviour  and  do  good  to 
the  souls  of  others  will,  if  it  exist,  ap- 
pear as  well  in  the  scenes  of  ignorance, 
and  want,  and  sorrow,  at  home^  as  in 
the  more  public  act  of  engaging  in  a 
mission  abroad. 


XXll  INTRODUCTION. 

III.  We  hope  and  trust  that  this 
little  volume,  like  the  Memoirs  of  Mrs, 
Newell,  Mrs,  Judson,  Mrs,  Winslow, 
and  others,  will  be  made  to  exert  an 
honoured  instrumentality  in  promot- 
ing the  genuine  spirit  of  Missions,  and 
more  especially  among  the  female  mem- 
bers of  the  Redeemei'''s  family  in  our 
land.  The  great  enterprise  of  the 
world's  evangelization  is  just  com- 
mencing, and  a  long  and  favoured 
train  of  devoted  messengers  of  the 
CROSS  are  to  arise,  and  move  on  in 
hosts,  in  what  is  now  the  unfrequent- 
ed path  of  evangelical  labours.  Salva- 
tion is  surely  to  be  published  unto  all 
nations.  There  is  now  in  the  classes 
of  our  Infant  and  Sabbath  schools, 
many  a  young  and  tender  heart  which 
is  hereafter  to  glow  with  intense  de- 
sire to  spread  in  far  distant  and  pagan 
climes,  the  wonders  of  redemption, 
and  unborn  generations  are  to  swell 


INTRODUCTION.  XXlll 

the  lists  of  names,  illustrious  on  earth 
and  dear  to  heaven,  for  the  display  of 
ardent  and  holy  zeal  in  the  Missionary 
work.  As  one  of  the  pioneers  in  this 
self-denied  service,  is  it  too  much  to 
hope  that  the  amiable  and  devoted 
subject  of  this  Memoir,  may,  Hke  her 
sainted  sisters  already  mentioned,  con- 
tribute more  by  her  early  death  than 
by  a  long  and  active  life,  thus  to 
widen  and  extend  the  kingdom  of  her 
Saviour?  In  future  time,  when  all 
that  now  live  shall  be  in  their  graves, 
may  not  the  meek,  and  sensible,  and 
glowing  sentiments  on  this  subject, 
here  recorded  as  her  private  thoughts, 
be  sought  with  avidity,  and  read  with 
profound  interest,  by  the  future  daugh- 
ters of  our  American  churches  ?  Her 
education,  her  worldly  prospects  and 
standing  in  society,  her  personal  and 
mental  endowments,  and  especially  her 
deep,   and  searching    views   of   reli- 


XXIV  INTRODUCTION. 

gion,  and  the  elevated  tone  of  her 
piety,  united  with  the  fact  of  her  cheer- 
ful self-consecration  to  the  work,  will 
all  conspire  to  give  energy  and  force 
to  her  counsels  and  her  example. 

Yes,  her  sweet  and  affectionate  spirit, 
her  humble  and  unpretending  love  to 
the  Saviour,  will  re-appear  in  the  cha- 
racter and  piety  of  others,  whose 
earthly  destiny  is  to  be  hereafter  per- 
haps most  closely  identified  with  the 
greatest  and  most  precious  of  all  mor- 
tal charges,  the  publication  of  the 
gospel  to  every  creature,  and  the  re- 
novation of  the  world. 

To  pious  young  ladies  of  intelligence 
and  education  in  our  country,  the 
writer  would,  therefore,  especially  com- 
mend the  sentiments  and  example  de- 
veloped in  this  Memoir. 

Louisa  Lowrie  felt  that  her  Saviour 
conferred  upon  her  a  distinguished 
honour  in  sending  her  far  from  her 


INTRODUCTION.  XXV 

native  home,  on  an  errand  of  mercy 
to  the  degraded  females  of  benighted 
India;  and  her  last  kind  wishes  for 
them,  were  that  some  among  you  might 
be  raised  up  to  fill  her  place ;  and  her 
last  lingering  look  as  she  sunk  into  the 
grave,  was  turned  with  this  fond  hope 
towards  her  native  shores.  There  is 
a  patience  of  endurance,  a  buoyancy 
of  hope,  and  a  fervour  of  devotion, 
connected  with  the  female  character, 
which  is  so  well  adapted  to  the  work 
of  Foreign  Missions  as  it  now  exists, 
as  to  make  it  manifest  that  they  are 
to  sustain  an  important  part  in  this 
honoured  enterprise,  and  whether  it  is 
your  allotment  personally  to  engage  in 
it  or  not,  it  is  important  to  its  pros- 
perity and  to  your  own  usefulness  in 
other  spheres  of  duty,  that  you  should 
be  replenished  with  the  spirit  which  it 
fosters.  What  are  the  graces  and 
charms    of  person — the    gayeties  of 


XXVI  INTRODUCTION. 

fashionable  life,  or  the  fascinations  of 
wealth  and  honour,  when  you  contem- 
plate the  great  realities  of  eternity? 
How  do  they  compare  with  that  hea- 
venliness  of  mind,  which  not  only  fits 
your  sex  for  the  sweet  fulfilment  of 
all  that  is  implied  in  the  endeared  rela- 
tions of  sister,  child,  wife  and  mother, 
and  to  exemplify  those  graces  and  vir- 
tues which  adorn  and  bless  society, 
but  also  to  take  an  active  part  in  all 
those  enterprises  of  benevolence  which 
are  the  glory  of  our  times  2  The  rose 
of  health  soon  fades  from  the  cheek  of 
beauty — the  days  of  amusement  and 
youthful  pleasure  soon  pass  on  their 
returnless  way,  and  the  heart  unblessed 
with  piety  faints  amidst  the  inadequate, 
and  empty,  and  fleeting  enjoyments  of 
time  and  sense ;  but  in  the  results  of 
eminent  piety  and  exemplary  useful- 
ness, there  are  joys  which  never  end. 
The  millions  of  pagan  lands  perish- 


INTRODUCTION.  X'XVll 

ing  without  the  hght  of  revelation,  are 
now  addressing  their  appeal  to  yoii^  as 
well  as  to  other  portions  of  the  Re- 
deemer's family:  and  as  Sabbath  School 
Instructers  and  active  devoted  Chris- 
tians, if  never  as  assistant  missionaries, 
how  much  may  you  do  for  their  eter- 
nal good,  if  your  hearts  but  become 
deeply  and  permanently  enlisted  for 
them?  Thus  may  you  show  your 
gratitude  to  him  who  laid  down  his 
life  for  you,  by  your  sympathy  for 
those  who  have  never  known  his  name; 
and  thus  also  become  the  happy  sharers 
in  the  joy  of  that  song,  with  which  the 
whole  militant  and  triumphant  church 
shall  celebrate  the  wonders  of  redemp- 
tion, when  ''the  kingdoms  of  this  world 
shall  have  become  the  kingdoms  of  our 
Lord  and  of  his  Christ,'^'' 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

The  following  Memoir  of  Mrs.  L. 
A.  LowRiE,  is  compiled  almost  en- 
tirely from  her  letters  and  private 
papers.  The  remarks  which  have  been 
added  are  intended  chiefly  to  arrange 
in  the  order  of  time  the  circumstances 
mentioned  in  her  writings,  with  a  brief 
reference  occasionally  to  events  in  her 
life.  These  remarks  have  been  inten- 
tionally few,  in  order  to  admit  the 
insertion  of  as  large  a  portion  of  her 
papers  as  the  narrow  limits  of  the 
volume  would  contain.  The  labour  of 
the  compiler  has  been  employed  prin- 
cipally in  selection  and  abridgement » 

The  profits  arising  from  the  sale  of 
the  work  will  be  devoted  to  the  cause 
of  Missions,  under  the  care  of  the 
Presbyterian  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety. 


MEMOIR,  &c. 

The  su])jcct  of  these  Memoirs  was  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Wilson, 
of  Morgantown,  MonongaUa  county,  Vir- 
ginia,* and  was  born  November  2,  1809. 
From  her  childhood,  she  was*  remarkable 
for  her  sensibility  and  amiableness.  At 
the  age  of  seven  years,  she  was  bereaved  of 
one  of  the  best  of  mothers,  whose  pious  ex- 
ample, and  instructions,  exerted  a  very  great 
influence  over  her  future  character.  If  it  were 
the  object  of  this  record  to  give  a  complete 

*  Thomas  Wilson,  Esq.,  was  descended  of  a  re- 
spectable family  of  that  name  in  Rockbridge  county, 
Virginia.  In  his  earlier  years  he  removed  to  Morgan- 
town,  and  engaged  in  the  profession  of  the  Law, 
which  he  successfully  pursued  till  his  death.  He 
was  frequently  elected  to  the  Assembly,  and  Senate 
of  the  state  of  Virginia ;  and  once  represented  his 
district  in  Congress.  He  was  a  gentleman  de- 
servedly held  in  the  highest  estimatioia  for  his  strict 
mtegrity,  and  his  public  usefulness.  He  died  in 
the  year  1826. 


20  MEMOIROF 

history  of  her  Hfe,  instead  of  memoirs  only 
of  her  Christian  and  Missionary  character,  it 
woidd  be  clearly  seen  how  greatly  a  mother 
may,  through  the  divine  blessing,  control 
the  destinies  of  her  children,  by  cultivating 
early  facilities  for  directing  their  tender 
minds. 

While  she  was  yet  quite  young,  she  was 
the  subject  of  serious  impressions  of  the 
importance  of  divine  things.  These  im- 
pressions were  greatly  increased  by  the  death 
of  her  revered  father,  which  afflicting  event 
occurred  when  she  was  about  seventeen 
years  of  age.  At  this  period  she  seems  to 
have  been  very  "  nigh  unto  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,"  having  many  desires  and  purposes 
to  devote  herself  to  the  Lord.  But  during  a 
short  residence  at  Wheeling,  in  Virginia,  not 
cherishing  her  convictions,  she  gradually  be- 
came indifferent  to  the  subject  of  religion. 
Possessing  great  natural  vivacity,  as  well  as 
a  very  engaging  person  and  manners,  her 
society  was  eagerly  sought  after  by  the  gay, 
and  fashionable  world,  with  whom  she,  un- 
liappily,  mingled  too  much,  in  the  giddy 
round  of  pleasures  and   amusements.      Of 


M  RS.    LOUIS  A    A.    LO  WR  I  E.  21 

this  portion  of  her  hfe,  however,  she  has 
fi-equently  remarked,  that  wlien  she  appear- 
ed to  others  most  happy,  she  felt  quite  mise- 
rahle  ;  and  easily  discovered  that  there  was 
nothing  to  satisfy  the  soul  in  this  world's 
allurements. 

The  following  letter  to  one  of  her  most 
intimate  friends,  penned  during  a  short  visit 
to  Ohio,  will  discover  the  state  of  her  feel- 
ings at  this  period. 

TO  MISS  J.    I.   p.   OF  MORGANTOWN. 

November  2d,  1828. 

Give  me  joy,  dear  J.,  for  this  is  my 
natal  day.  But  why  do  I  desire  you  to  con- 
gratulate me  that  nineteen  summers  have 
flown  swiftly  over  my  head  ?  Rather  should 
I  ask  you  to  mourn  with  me  that  I  have  mis- 
spent so  much  precious  time.  I  know  that 
I  am  placed  here  only  to  make  preparation 
for  a  brighter  and  better  world,  and  yet,  in- 
stead of  fulfilling  the  duty  I  owe  to  my 
Creator,  and  to  myself,  I  feel  that  I  am  daily 
becoming  more  hardened  in  my  sinfulness. 
Oh  how  strange,  that  an  immortal  being  can 


22  MEMOIROF 

be  satisfied  with  "trifles  light  as  air,"  which 
he  knows  lead  to  destruction  ! 

"  Strange  fondness  of  the  human  heart ! 

Enamoured  of  its  harm  ; 
Strange  world  !  that  costs  it  so  much  smart, 

And  yet  has  power  to  charm." 

Little  did  I  think,  at  the  age  of  fourteen, 
that  I  should  live  to  see  nineteen  years  pass 
away  without  having  found  the  pearl  of 
great  price.  Then  it  appeared  impossible 
that  I  should  be  contented  another  year, 
without  that  "  peace  which  passeth  under- 
standing." I  felt  that  there  was  no  pleasure  in 
the  pomps  arnd  vanities  of  the  world.  Christ 
has  said,  "  They  that  seek  me  early  shall  find 
me."  Oh  that  I  had  hearkened  to  this 
promise !  But  I  fear  that  I  have  delayed 
seeking  until  it  is  too  late.  On  each  of  my 
last  five  birth-days,  1  have  looked  back  upon 
the  preceding  year,  and  have  been  astonish- 
ed to  perceive  that  I  had  been  so  entirely 
occupied  with  vain  and  trifling  amusements, 
as  to  forget  my  soul's  eternal  interests.  On 
each  of  those  occasions  I  have  resolved  and 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  23 

rc-rcsolved,  and    yet  continued    the  same. 
Strange  beings  that  we  are  ! 

E.  and  I  arrived  here  on  Thursday,  and 
as  bad  weather  has  confined  us  to  the  house, 
we  have  been  extremely  busy.  I  enjoy  my- 
self here  much  more  than  I  do  at  Wheeling, 
as  I  have  more  time  for  reading. 

Remembei'  me  to  all  my  youthful  com- 
panions, and  to  your  mother  and  aunts. 
That  "  grace,  mercy,  and  peace,"  may  rest 
upon  you,  is  the  prayer  of  your  friend, 

Louisa. 


The  ensuing  winter  she  spent  at 


in  pretty  much  the  same  round  of  fashion- 
able amusements  as  had  hitherto  engaged 
lier  attention.  The  following  account  of  this 
portion  of  her  life,  penned  by  her  a  few 
years  after,  will  be  interesting  to  the  reader, 
as  it  lays  open  to  view  the  inmost  heart  of 
a  votary  of  fashion. 

"  I  ajjpeared  gay,  but  did  not  feel  so.  I 
talked  nonsense,  and  hated  myself  for  it, 
and  despised  those  who  listened  to  me.  I 
hated  dancing,  and  yet  I  danced.  I  had  a 
great  dislike  to  parties,  and  yet  I  frequented 


24  31  E  M  O  I  R    O  F 

them.  I  looked  with  contempt  on  those 
who  delighted  in  dress,  and  yet  I  dressed 
gaily.  I  loved  to  read,  but  relinquished 
that  pleasure  for  the  sake  of  those  amuse- 
ments in  which  I  took  no  delight.  Thus 
did  I  spend  my  time. 

"  I  began  to  think  that  those  with  whom 
I  associated  were  merely  putting  on  appear- 
ances as  I  did  ;  and,  as  I  hated  myself  for  it, 
I  despised  them.  Above  all,  I  was  conscious 
that  I  was  transgressing  the  laws  of  God, 
and  exposing  my  soul  more  and  more  to 
perdition.  And  I  was  very  anxious  to  re- 
turn home,  as  to  the  place  where  I  might 
be  cured  of  my  follies." 

Subsequently  to  her  father's  death,  she  had 
generally  resided  with  her  brother,  E.  C. 
Wilson,  Esq.  of  Morgantown.  She  returned 
here  from  Wheeling,  in  the  spring  of  1829. 
At  this  period,  one  of  her  most  intimate  fe- 
male friends  made  a  public  profession  of. 
religion,  on  which  occasion  she  was  deeply 
affected,  and  formed  a  solemn  determination 
to  seek  the  Lord,  with  all  her  heart.  She 
was  soon  led  to  a  discovery  of  the  only  way, 
in  which  God  could  be  just,  and  yet  justify 


MRS.    LOUISA     A.     L  O  W  R  I  E.  25 

the  sinner;  viz.  through  the  atoning  merits, 
and  infinite  righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ. 
She  saw,  and  felt  the  innate  depravity  of  her 
heart,  and  the  necessity  of  the  renewing 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  But  it  was 
not  till  after  many  days  of  sorrowful,  and 
earnest  seeking,  that  she  found  any  abiding 
peace  in  believing. 

In  the  month  of  September  following,  she 
visited  Richmond,  in  company  with  her 
brother  Eugenius  M.  Wilson,  Esq.,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Virginia  Convention  of  1829-30. 
In  that  city,  and  in  the  counties  of  Rock- 
bridge, Augusta,  and  Frederic,  she  spent 
the  remainder  of  the  autumn  and  winter. 
The  following  letters,  written  at  this  period 
to  her  friends,  will  show  how  she  was 
impressed  with  different  objects,  as  well  as 
the  state  of  her  mind  in  regard  to  religion. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  TO  MISS  M.  A.  N.,  OF 
NEW  GENEVA. 

Augusta  County^  Va.^  Dec.  8,  1829. 

Only  yesterday  I  wrote  to  F.,  and  affec- 
tion already  prompts  me  to  write  to  my  dear 


2G  MEMOIROF 

M.  But  Oh !  how  much  more  pleasant 
would  it  be,  to  converse  face  to  face.  ...  I 
had  visited  the  Natural  Bridge,  some  time 
before  I  received  your  last  letter.  I  was  not 
at  all  disappointed.  The  arch  is  much  higher 
than  I  had  expected:  and  it  is  thrown  over 
the  fissure,  in  so  graceful  a  sweep,  as  almost 
to  have  the  appearance  of  something  living. 
The  top  of  the  bridge  is  covered  with  bushes 
of  arbor  vitde,  and  cedar,  except  where  the 
road  passes  over  it.  The  scenery  around  is 
wild  in  the  extreme ;  gloomy  pines  and  huge 
rocks  are  the  principal  features. 

We  remained  in  Rockbridge  two  weeks; 
busy  the  whole  time  among  our  relations.  I 
there  visited  the  "  abode  of  my  forefathers ;" 
but  could  not  work  myself  into  an  "  enthu- 
siastic melancholy:"  for  every  thing  looked 
so  sweet  and  pleasant.  The  large  green 
3^ard,  the  weeping-willows,  the  cherry-trees, 
&c.,  spoke  of  comfort  and  banished  melan- 
choly. 

I  have  visited  Weir's  cave,  and  think  it 
much  the  greatest  curiosity  I  have  yet  seen. 
Some  of  the  apartments  appear  magnificently 
sculptured.     Columns,  castles,  thrones,  cur- 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    L  O  W  R  I  K.  27 

tains,  temples,  &c.,  are  thrown  promiscuously 
together,  and  have  a  very  fine  effect. 
Your  sincere  friend, 

Louisa. 

LETTER  to  MISS  J.  I.  P.,  OF  MORGANTOWN. 

Augusta  County,  Dec.  llth,  1829. 
Dear  J. 

You  cannot  imagine  how  grateful  I  am 
for  your  last  letter :  the  more  so  because  it 
was  a  favour  I  did  not  deserve.  Many  reasons 
have  prevented  my  wTiting;  the  principal 
one  was  that  I  feared  to  lay  open  the  state 
of  my  heart;  and  I  never  could  use  any 
disguise  with  you,  my  dear  friend.  You 
lament  the  want  of  preaching;  and  follow 
me  in  imagination  to  the  Sanctuary.  I  do 
go.  I  hear  sermons  eloquent  and  pathetic : 
but  envy  me  not,  for  perhaps  it  may  tend  to 
increase  my  condemnation.  I  do  not  profit 
by  what  I  hear.  I  have  rather  gone  back, 
than  advanced  in  spiritual  things,  since  I  saw 
you.  Still,  I  entertain  a  hope,  (with  w^hat 
justness  I  know  not,)  that  through  the  merits 
of  tliat  Redeemer,  w^hom  I  have  so  much 
slighted,  I  shall  be  admitted  into  his  fold  at 


28  M  E  M  O  I  R     O  F 

last.  While  in  Richmond,  I  hoarded  in  a 
very  pious  family;  and,  truly,  in  them  reli- 
gion appeared  lovely.  They  had  been  re- 
duced from  affluence  to  poverty,  and  yet  all 
was  cheerfulness  and  resignation.  I  heard 
some  excellent  sermons  from  Mr.  A. ,  pastor 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  church.  I  also 
attended  the  recitations  of  his  Bible  class, 
and  found  myself  much  pleased  and  in- 
structed. 

I  am  so  happy  every  Thursday  night — Is 
it  the  influence  of  imagination?  or  do  you 
then,  in  your  meeting,  remember  me  in 
your  prayers?*  You  say  nothing  about  the 
meeting :  I  hope  it  has  not  been  given  up. 
Your  friend, 

Louisa. 

She  returned  home  in  the  spring  of  1830. 
The  way  in  which  she  first  found  peace  in 
believing  is  thus  described  in  her  journal: 

"  I  expected  to  have  some  sudden  illumi- 
nation: something  like  a  vision,  revealing 


*  The  allusion  is  to  a  female  prayer  meeting  in 
which  she  felt  a  very  great  interest. 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     L  O  W  R  I  E.  29 

to  my  view  the  Redeemer  as  the  Son  of 
God,  and  yet  the  friend  of  sinners.  For 
this  I  waited  in  vain.  But,  impcrceptihly, 
a  love  to  Christ,  and  a  reliance  on  his  merits 
and  intercession,  took  possession  of  my  heart. 
Blessed  be  his  name,  that  the  transgressions 
of  sinners  may  be  washed  away  in  that  blood 
which  flows  for  the  remission  of  sins.  ^^ 

From  this  period  until  she  made  a  public 
profession  of  religion,  her  exercises,  so  far 
as  they  can  be  ascertained  from  her  letters 
and  private  papers,  appear  to  have  been 
various ;  although  the  evidence  of  her  in- 
terest in  the  Saviour  continually  became 
brighter. 

LETTER  TO  MISS  M.  A.  N. 

Morgantown,  May  1,  1830. 

Dear  M. 

God  is  now  speaking  in  his  thunders; 
and  I  feel  awfully  solemn,  as  if  drawn  into 
his  immediate  presence.  I  always  see  his 
handy-work  in  the  quiet  and  beautiful  scenes 
of  nature ;  but  there  is  something  in  a 
thunder-storm  that  speaks  more  directly  to 
the  heart,  of  the  grandeur,  the  majesty,  and 


30      '  M  E  M  0  I  R    O  F 

the  might  of  him,  who  has  permitted  us  to 
call  him  Father.  Oh  !  how  can  we  ever 
sufficiently  praise  the  condescending  mercy 
of  our  God  ?  Were  all  the  goodness  exist- 
ing in  every  human  heart  collected,  and  pre- 
sented to  him  in  one  offering,  it  would  not 
be  of  sufficient  worth  to  purchase  one,  even 
the  least  of  his  mercies.  But  I  thank  the 
Most  High,  that  when  sinners  call  upon 
him,  he  looks  on  him  who  was  pierced  for 
our  iniquities,  and,  for  his  sake,  pities  and 
forgives  us. 

If  I  am  now  struck  with  awe  while  listen- 
ing to  his  thunders,  when  all  around  is  peace 
and  loveliness ;  how  shall  I  feel  on  that 
"great  and  terrible  day,^'  when  the  earth  shall 
quake ;  and  the  sun  shall  become  as  sack- 
cloth of  hair ;  and  the  moon  shall  be  turned 
into  blood ;  and  the  stars  of  heaven  shall 
fall ;  and  every  island,  and  every  mountain 
shall  be  moved  out  of  their  places  ;  and  the 
heavens  shall  depart  as  a  scroll  when  it  is 
rolled  together  ?  Blessed  be  the  Lord  that, 
through  the  death  and  sufferings  of  his  Son, 
those  who  love  and  serve  him  here,  will  be 
"able  to  stand'' in  his  presence  on  that  awful 
day. 


MRS.    LOUISA     A.    L  O  VV  R  I  E.  31 

I  am  now  shut  out  from  all  outward  temp- 
tations, and  have  only  the  wickedness  of  my 
own  heart  to  contend  with.  This  warfare 
I  could  not,  in  my  own  strength,  carry  on 
for  a  moment.  But  I  thank  God  for  the 
confidence  I  feel,  that,  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  I  shall  obtain  the  victory. 

Yesterday  and  to-day,  I  have  felt  pecu- 
liarly thankful  for  my  eye-sight;  a  blessing, 
like  the  air  we  breathe,  so  common,  that  we 
seldom  think  of  rendering  thanks  for  it. 
But  how  many  are  there  in  the  world  who 
have  never  witnessed  those  beautiful  scenes 
which  we  so  much  enjoy.  And  what  is 
worse,  many,  who  have  once  seen  and  en- 
joyed them,  can  now  see  them  only  in  re- 
membrance. Every  day  I  see  new  beauties 
in  the  works  of  creation.  Every  tree,  and 
plant,  and  flower,  speaks  so  forcibly  to  my 
mind  of  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  God, 
that  I  am  lost  in  admiration  and  gratitude. 

Dear  M.,  I  often  wonder  that  j'OU,  or  any 
one  else,  could  ever  entertain  the  least  re- 
gard for  me.  I  am  sure  if  you  could  see 
me,  as  I  see  myself,  you  could  not  bear  with 
me  a  single  hour.  But  God  sees  my  heart, 
3 


32  MEMOIROF 

and  knows  me  infinitely  better  than  I  know 
myself;  and  yet  how  kind,  how  indulgent 
is  he  to  me  !  He  not  only  bestows  on  me 
every  blessing  which  confers  happiness  in 
this  life ;  but  he  even  gives  me,  (I  almost 
fear  to  utter  it,)  a  hope  of  life  eternal — of 
dwelling  in  his  presence  for  evermore.  Oh 
M.  the  thought  of  meeting  with  you  there 
gives  me  inexpressible  joy.  Oh !  I  fear  I 
am  indulging  false  hopes.  If  it  were  not 
for  the  assurance  which  God  has  given  us 
that  the  chief  of  sinners  may  be  saved,  if  it 
were  not  certain  that  the  blood  of  Christ 
made  an  atonement  sufficient  for  all  trans- 
gressions, I  could  not  hope  for  pardon.  I 
have  nothing  to  offer  to  God.  I  sometimes 
search  myself,  thinking  that  there  may  be 
something  in  me  acceptable  to  him  ;  but  this 
search  makes  me  sick  at  heart ;  for  I  find 
nothing  but  continued  rebellion,  ingratitude, 
and  deep  depravity.  And  I  do  thank  the 
Lord,  that  all  the  fitness  he  requires  of  me 
is,  to  feel  my  need  of  Christ.  This,  I  am 
sure,  I  do  feel,  but  not  as  deeply  as  I  ought. 
Yours  sincerely, 

Louisa  A.  Wilson. 


M  R  S.    LOUIS  A    A.     L  O  WRIE.  33 

JOURNAL,  1830. 

May  ^th. 

"  How  tedious  and  tasteless  the  hours, 
When  Jesus  no  longer  1  see." 

I  think  I  have  tasted  that  the  Lord  is 
gracious ;  for  such  perfect  peace,  such  entire 
confidence  in  the  Saviour  as  I  have  enjoyed, 
could  have  proceeded  from  no  other  source 
than  the  fountain  of  all  good.  But,  "Where 
am  I  now  ?"  x\ll  is  darkness.  I  do  indeed 
feel  a  firm  confidence  that  I  shall  again  behold 
the  light  of  my  Heavenly  Father's  counte- 
nance ;  but  the  absence  of  that  dear  friend, 
the  friend  of  sinners,  I  cannot  bear.  Father 
of  mercies  !  I  beseech  thee  to  show  me 
wherein  I  have  offended  thee. 

I  fear  I  have  been  too  much  lifted  up  with 
the  abundance  of  joy  bestowed  upon  me. 
Perhaps  I  have  not  rejoiced  with  fear  and 
trembling.  But  I  thank  the  Lord  that  I  do 
feel  sorrow  under  the  hidings  of  his  face. 
For  this  convinces  me  that  his  Spirit  has  not 
departed  from  me.  Oh  Lord !  take  not  away 
from  me  thy  Holy  Spirit. 

May  5th. — I  fear  that  I  am  too  much 
concerned  about  the  things  of  this  world. 


34  MEMOIROF 

Why  do  I  not  resign  all  into  the  hands  of 
Him,  who  has  promised  that  all  things 
shall  work  together  for  good  to  them  that 
love  him  ?  Oh  God  !  my  only  Father !  my 
best  friend  !  give  me  submission  to  thy  will. 
May  I  be  satisfied  that  thou  doest  all  things 
well;  and  whether  thou  sendest  sickness  or 
health,  sorrow  or  joy,  may  I  feel  that  thou 
art  tny  God.  For  then  I  can  say,  "  None  of 
these  things  move  me."  Let  not  the  ties  of 
human  affection  bind  me  to  earth.  Let  me 
love  those  with  sincere  affection  whom 
nature  has  taught  me  to  love.  Let  me  love 
all  who  belong  to  the  family  of  Christ.  Let 
me  have  true  charity  for  the  whole  race  of 
mankind;  but  may  I  reserve  for  thee,  my 
Lord,  my  supreme  affection.  Oh  !  be  thou 
my  constant  stay  and  support :  for  "  Whom 
have  I  in  heaven  but  thee  ?  and  there  is  none 
upon  earth  that  I  desire  beside  thee.'^ 

Sabbath,  May  9M.— The  Sabbath  is  a 
blessed  day  of  rest.  "  The  music  of  the 
thankful  heart"  is  offered  in  the  house  of 
God;  the  word  of  life  is  preached;  and  the 
prayers  of  united  hearts  ascend  to  the  throne 
of  grace.     The  birds  sing  joyously  in  the 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     L  0  W  R  I  E.  35 

groves;  and  every  tree  of  the  forest,  and 
every  flower,  and  every  plant,  speaks  forcibly 
to  my  heart,  saying,  He  that  formed  us  is  a 
God  of  might,  of  wisdom,  and  of  love.  Oh  ! 
how  blessed  is  the  peaceful  reign  of  my  Re- 
deemer here  on  earth  !  What  then  are  the 
joys  of  heaven ! 

The  thoughts  of  God's  love  and  mercy 
already  create  a  heaven  within  my  heart. 
Oh !  I  long  for  that  blessed  place,  where  I 
shall  forever  praise  him  '' according  to  his 
excellent  greatness."  Oh  my  kind  Father  ! 
let  me  ever  be  thy  willing  and  obedient 
child;  that  while  on  earth  I  may  have  an 
abiding  sense  of  thy  presence,  and  never 
grieve  thy  Holy  Spirit.  And,  for  Christ's 
sake,  prepare  me  to  praise  thee,  evermore. 
Amen. 

May  I2th. — God  has  wonderfully  pre- 
served me  during  my  whole  life.  His 
Holy  Spirit  has  been  striving  with  me  from 
my  earliest  years.  And  though  I  grieved 
him  continually,  he  forsook  me  not;  but 
showed  me  more  clearly  than  ever  my 
miserable  state;  and,  at  length,  humbled  in 
the  dust,  I  was  induced  to  say, 
3* 


36  MEMOIROF 

"Here,  Lord,  I  give  myself  away, 
'Tis  all  that  I  can  do." 

I  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  Lord  has 
accepted  me  as  his  own.  For  a  short  time 
I  felt  absorbed  in  love  to  him.  I  felt  his 
presence  around  me,  pervading  all  space, 
and  filling  my  heart  with  joy  unspeakable. 
I  wondered  that  I  had  ever  sinned  against  a 
God  of  such  infinite  goodness ;  and  could  not 
think  that  I  should  ever  again  prove  ungrate- 
ful. But,  Oh !  I  did  not  know  the  deep 
depravity  of  my  heart.  I  nov/  see  it  more 
and  more,  every  day.  I  have  sinned  again 
most  grievously.  I  have  sunk  into  a  deep 
sleep.  I  have  become  cold  and  dead  with 
respect  to  spiritual  things.  Oh !  why  will 
my  soul,  after  having  tasted  of  heavenly 
bliss,  be  content  to  return  to  the  "  beggarly 
elements  of  the  world?"  Oh  God!  grant 
me  thy  Holy  Spirit,  and  arouse  me  from 
this  awful  lethargy  !  Has  not  thine  eternal 
Son  shed  his  precious  blood  for  as  many  as 
are  willing  to  believe  on  him  ?  Lord,  I  be- 
lieve: help  thou  mine  unbelief. 

May  XMh, — The  communion  of  the  crea- 
ture with  the  Creator  is  incomprehensible. 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     L  O  W  li  I  E.  37 

I  feel  God  to  be  near,  all  around,  and  within 
me  :  and  yet  I  cannot  tell  how  it  is.  When 
I  pray,  I  feel  that  he  is  with  mc,  teaching 
me  by  his  Spirit  what  to  ask  for,  and  wait- 
ing to  supply  my  necessities.  And  this  is 
all  of  his  own  free  grace ;  for,  of  myself,  I 
have  never  done  one  thing  that  was  pleasing 
to  him.  He  knows  my  wicked  heart;  and 
yet  he  bestows  on  me  the  glorious  hope,  that 
I  shall  be  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Re- 
deemer, and  made  perfectly  clean.  I  do 
know  the  love  of  God,  that  it  *^passeth 
knowledge." 

May  23d,  Sabbath. — The  institution  of 
the  Sabbath  is  a  most  precious  privilege — a 
whole  day  devoted  exclusively  to  the  Lord. 
Yet  there  are  those  to  w^hom  this  day  is  a 
weariness — to  whom  its  precious  hours  drag 
heavily  on.  God  has  required  but  one  day 
in  seven  to  be  set  apart  for  his  peculiar  ser- 
vice. And  it  is  the  duty  and  the  privilege 
of  all  the  servants  of  God  to  be  free,  not 
only  from  vain  and  idle  conversation,  unne- 
cessary employments,  and  trifling  amuse- 
ments, but  also  from  all  foolish,  idle,  and 
worldly  thoughts. 


38  MEMOIROF 

Convinced  as  I  am  of  all  these  things,  I 
beseech  thee,  Oh  God !  to  enable  me  to 
spend  thy  Sabbaths  aright.  Let  me  ever 
look  forward  to  them  with  joy;  and  feel 
regret  that  they  are  so  short.  And  grant,  I 
entreat  thee,  for  Jesus'  sake,  that  I  may  so 
improve  them,  and  every  other  gracious 
privilege,  that  I  may  be  fitted  to  spend  an 
eternal  Sabbath  with  thee  on  high. 

May  ^Oth,  Sabbath. — Another  week  is 
past;  another  Sabbath  has  dawned  upon  my 
soul.  Have  I  made  a  week's  progress  to- 
wards heaven?  My  conscience  whispers, 
no !  I  have  slighted  many  privileges,  and 
misimproved  all.  I  have  been  chained  to 
earth  by  affections  for  creatures.  I  have  in- 
dulged my  propensity  to  harbour  vain  and 
idle  thoughts.  Oh  that  my  whole  soul 
might  be  in  a  continual  flame  of  love  to  the 
Most  High  God!  for  he  alone  is  worthy  of 
the  supreme  affection  of  immortal  beings. 
I  know  it  is  my  privilege  to  enjoy  intimate 
communion  with  God;  to  pray  in  faith;  to 
live  by  faith,  with  a  constant  desire  to 
please  him  alone.  But  my  sins  have  sepa- 
rated me  from  the  light  of , his  countenance; 


M  R  S.     L  O  U  I  S  A    A.     I,  O  W  R  I  E.  39 

and  cause  me  to  grope  in  darkness  at  noon- 
day. But  if  it  should  be  his  righteous  plea- 
sure to  keep  me  in  this  state  all  the  days  of 
my  life;  yet,  in  his  strength,  I  will  strive  to 
serve  him  still. 

Sabbath,  June  6th. — Oh,  why  should  I 
ever  regard  the  opinion  of  the  world  ?  When 
I  search  and  know  my  own  heart,  I  feel  that 
I  do  desire  to  love  the  Lord  with  my  whole 
soul.  And  he  has  said,  ''  Love  not  the  world, 
nor  the  things  of  the  world.  If  any  man 
love  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not 
in  him."  If  then,  I  must  give  up  either  the 
love  of  the  Father,  or  the  love  of  the  world, 
how  can  I  hesitate  ? 

I  hate  the  world,  because  it  separates  be- 
tween me  and  my  best  Friend.  I  hate  it 
because  it  has  so  much  ensnared  my  affec- 
tions; and  because  it  still  exerts  an  influence 
upon  me  which  I  endeavour  in  vain  to  re- 
sist. 

God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner;  and  raise 
me  above  the  things  of  time.  Give  me  that 
faith  which  looks  forward  to,  and  feasts  upon, 
the  things  which  are  not  seen.  Let  me  feel 
continually  that  I  must  give  my  account  to 


40  MEMOIROF 

God  and  not  to  man;  and  let  me  not  be  ele- 
vated by  the  praises,  or  depressed  by  the 
censures  of  the  world. 

I  fear  I  commit  sin,  while  under  the  hid- 
ings of  my  Heavenly  Father's  face, because  I 
am  so  discontented  in  that  condition.  God 
keeps  me;  and  I  have  his  promise,  which 
is  sure,  that  he  will  keep  me  to  the  end. 
If  then  he  sees  fit  to  keep  me  in  darkness, 
I  must  only  say,  "thy  will  be  done;  only  let 
me  not  sin  against  thee."  But  I  should  be 
particularly  careful,  at  such  seasons,  not  to 
seek  comfort  from  the  things  of  time.  When 
Moses  went  up  to  Mount  Sinai,  to  receive 
the  law  from  God,  the  children  of  Israel, 
impatient  of  his  long  absence,  began  to  say, 
"  Make  us  gods,  that  we  may  bow  down  and 
worship;  for,  as  for  this  Moseg,  we  wot  not 
what  has  become  of  him.''  And  Aaron  made 
them  a  golden  calf;  and  they  worshipped  it, 
and  God  sent  a  curse  upon  them.  So,  if 
God,  in  order  to  try  us,  or  to  punish  us  for 
our  sins,  withdraws  a  sense  of  his  presence 
from  us:  we  should  wait  patiently,  in  the 
appointed  means  of  grace,  for  his  return; 
and  beware  lest  we  seek  another  god  in  his 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  41 

absence.  "Little  children,  keep  yourselves 
from  idols." 

Saturday  evening, June  19/A. — "In  that 
day  shall  there  be  upon  the  bells  of  the 
horses,  holiness  unto  the  lord;  and  the 
pots  in  the  Lord's  house  shall  be  like  the 
bowls  before  the  altar."  Zech.  xiv.  20. 
Holiness  must  characterize  the  smallest 
things.  Our  most  insignificant  actions  must 
be  performed  with  a  reference  to  the  glory 
of  God.  Properly  speaking,  no  action  of  a 
Christian  can  be  called  insignificant.  The 
least  important  have  a  bearing  upon  the 
whole  character.  Indeed,  small  things  have 
frequently  the  most  dangerous  influence, 
because  they  are  most  likely  to  escape  our 
attention. 

"And  the  pots  in  the  Lord's  house,  shall 
be  like  the  bowls  before  the  altar."  The 
station  of  the  Christian,  however  humble, 
cannot  keep  him  from  his  God.  Though  his 
hands  may  be  occupied  with  the  most  me- 
nial offices,  his  heart  may  be  pouring  out  an 
offering  at  the  altar  of  the  Most  High. 
Though,  in  the  estimation  of  the  world,  he 
may  be  mean  and  contemptible,  as  a  "pot  in 


42  M  E  M  O  I  R    O  F 

the  Lord's  house;"  yet  the  Lord  will  make 
him  as  the  richest  vessels  employed  in  his 
service. 

June  22d. — Surely  never  was  a  creature 
so  blest  as  I,  who,  at  the  same  time,  was  so 
unthankful.  I  have  every  temporal  good, 
the  most  pleasant  home,  the  kindest  friends. 
These,  indeed,  are  not  sufficient  to  confer 
substantial  and  lasting  happiness;  but  the 
Lord  in  mercy,  bestows  on  me  that  peace 
which  cometh  down  from  above.  I  can  say 
with  Mary,  '^My  soul  doth  magnify  the 
Lord  ...  for  he  that  is  mighty  hath  done 
great  things  for  me.'^  My  spirit  rejoices 
when  I  look  forward  to  the  period,  when  I 
shall  drop  this  "vile  body,"  and  be  clothed 
with  holiness  and  immortality — when  I  shall 
be  freed  from  the  doubts  and  fears,  which  so 
often  trouble  me  here ;  and,  more  than  all, 
when  I  shall  learn  to  praise  the  Lord,  "ac- 
cording to  his  excellent  greatness." 

Sabbath,  July  Ath. — It  is  an  invaluable 
privilege  to  have  the  word  of  God  in  our 
hands,  and  to  be  favoured  with  the  holy 
Sabbath,  on  which  to  study  its  sacred  pages 
without  interruption  ....  I  have,  this  morn- 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    LOWRIE.  43 

iiie;,  been  peculiarly  struck  with  the  38th 
chapter  of  Job.  The  deistical  speculators 
oil  world-makings  should  all  read  it;  and 
1)0  convinced  of  the  utter  nothingness  of  the 
creature,  when  brought  into  comparison  with 
tlie  Creator;  and  the  impossibility  of  com- 
prehending that  which  can  be  known  only 
to  the  infinite  mind. 

In  this  chapter,  the  Most  High  conde- 
scends to  speak  to  a  man — to  a  man  who 
was  called  "perfect  and  upright."  "Gird  up 
now  thy  loins  like  a  man ;  for  I  will  demand 
of  thee,  and  answer  thou  me.  Where  wast 
thou,  when  I  laid  the  foundations  of  the 
earth?  declare  if  thou  hast  understanding. 
Whereupon  are  the  foundations  thereof  fas- 
tened? or  wdio  laid  the  corner  stone  thereof, 
when  the  morning  stars  sang  together,  and 
all  the  sons  of  God  shouted  for  joy  ?  Or 
who  shut  up  the  sea  with  doors,  w^hen  it 
brake  forth,  as  if  it  issued  out  of  the  w^omb; 
when  I  made  the  cloud  the  garment  thereof, 
and  thick  darkness  a  swaddling-band  for  it; 
and  brake  up  for  it  my  decreed  place,  and 
set  bars  and  doors,  and  said.  Hitherto  shalt 
thou  come  and  no  furtlier:  and  here  shall 
4 


44  MEMOIROF 

thy  proud  waves  be  stayed  ?  Hast  thou 
commanded  the  morning  since  thy  days,  and 
caused  the  day-spring  to  know  his  place  ?  . . 
Canst  thou  bind  the  sweet  influences  of  Plei- 
ades, or  loose  the  bands  of  Orion  ?  .  .  .  . 
Knowest  thou  the  ordinances  of  heaven? 
canst  thou  set  the  dominion  thereof  in  the 
earth  ?  Canst  thou  lift  up  thy  voice  to  the 
clouds,  that  abundance  of  waters  may  cover 
thee  ?  .  .  .  .  Who  hath  put  wisdom  in  the 
inward  parts?  or  who  hath  given  understand- 
ing to  the  heart?" 

I  feel  that  I  am  nothing,  and  the  omni- 
potence of  Jehovah  fills  me  with  awe.  He 
sits  in  the  heavens,  and  spreads  forth  the 
clouds  as  his  chariot.  He  commands,  and 
the  ocean,  in  all  its  waves,  obeys  his  voice. 
He  takes  in  the  whole  universe  at  a  single 
glance,  and  marks  out  the  station  for  eveiy 
sun  and  every  planet. 

He  sees  into  every  heart,  and  knows  every 
imagination  of  the  thoughts  of  all  his  crea- 
tures. Oh  !  how  shall  I  stand  before  God  ? 
for  my  thoughts  are  evil,  and  he  knows  them 
all.  "I  do  exceedingly  fear  and  quake." 
But  this  God  of  almighty  power  and  infinite 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.     L  0  W  R  I  K.  45 

holiness,  is  also  a  God  of  infinite  mercy. 
In  Christ,  he  is  the  friend  of  sinners. 
He  is  not  exclusively  occupied  with  great 
affairs.  His  providential  care  extends  to 
the  meanest  of  his  creatures.  "Who  pro- 
videth  for  the  raven  his  food ;  when  his 
young  ones  cry  unto  God,  they  wander  for 
lack  of  meat." 

0  God  !  I  heseech  thee,  to  make  me,  at 
all  times,  feel  that  I  am  nothing,  even  though 
I  were  "perfect  and  upright."  Teach  me  to 
know  thee  ;  and  then  I  shall  know  myself. 
Enahle  me  to  subdue  the  pride  of  worldly 
wisdom;  and  to  know  nothing  but  Jesus 
Christ,  and  him  crucified. 

The  subject  of  these  memoirs  had,  for  a 
considerable  time,  desired  to  unite  with  the 
church.  But  the  Presbyterian  congregation 
in  Morgantown,  being  at  this  time  vacant, 
she  had  no  convenient  opportunity,  until  the 
first  of  August,  1830;  when  the  Lord's 
Supper  was  administered  there,  by  the  pas- 
tor of  one  of  the  neighbouring  churches;  and 
she  then  made  a  public  profession  of  religion. 
Two  weeks  previously  to  taking  this  impor- 


46  M  E  M  0  I  R   0  F 

tant  step,  she,  in  a  solemn  written  covenant, 
devoted  herself  unreservedly  to  the  Lord, 
as  will  be  seen  in  the  following  paper : 

JOURNAL,  1830. 

July  ISth. — I  am  conscious  that  I  oflfend 
God  continually ;  but  I  thank  Him  from 
whom  Cometh  every  good  and  perfect  gift, 
that  I  do  desire  to  be  conformed  to  his  will. 
In  two  weeks,  I  expect  publicly  to  devote 
myself  to  the  service  of  the  Lord :  and  I 
now,  in  private,  wish  to  give  myself  up  en- 
tirely to  him. 

COVENANT. 

Oh  thou  God  of  unbounded  mercy  !  who, 
for  the  sake  of  thy  Son,  dost  condescend  to 
listen  to  such  a  weak  and  sinful  creature  as  I ; 
in  mercy  draw  near  to  me  now,  and  solem- 
nize my  heart,  and  preserve  me  from  its  de- 
ceptions, while  I  attempt  to  enter  into  cove- 
nant with  thee,  the  Most  High  God.  I  do 
desire  this  day,  0  God,  with  all  the  sincerity 
of  which  I  am  capable,  to  "surrender  myself 
entirely  unto  thee.    I  desire  to  renounce  all 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     LOWRIE.  47 

former  lords,  that  have  liad  dominion  over 
me.  I  desire  to  consecrate  to  tlice  all  that  I 
am  and  have ;  the  faculties  of  my  niind^ 
the  members  of  my  body,  my  worldly  pos- 
sessions, my  tirae^  my  influence  over  others; 
to  be  all  used  most  entirely  for  thy  glory,  and 
resolutely  employed  in  obedience  to  thy 
commands,  as  long  as  thou  continuest  me 
in  life ;"  with  an  humble  resolution  to  con- 
tinue thine  through  the  endless  ages  of  eter- 
nity; ever  holding  myself  ready  to  obey  the 
first  intimations  of  thy  will,  with  zeal  and 

joy- 

And  now,  0  Lord  God  !  unless  thou  dost 
give  me  strength,  I  can  do  nothing.  0  for- 
bid that  I  should  ever,  as  I  have  heretofore 
done,  break  my  covenant  with  thee.  Take 
from  me  the  least  dependancc  on  self ;  and 
give  me  faith  in  the  merits  of  thy  Son.  0 
may  I  ever  cling  to  him  as  my  only  hope  for 
acceptance  with  thee.  0  Lord  !  enable  me 
continually  to  remember  that  I  am  not  my 
own,  but  the  servant  of  the  Most  High 
God,  to  whom  I  must  give  an  account  for 
every  thought,  word,  and  action. 

Help  me,  0  Lord !  for  Jesus'  sake.  Amen, 
4* 


48  MEMOIROF 

The  following  letter  to  one  of  her  inti- 
mate friends,  it  will  be  seen,  was  written 
partly  before,  and  partly  after  she  had  united 
with  the  church. 


LETTER  TO  MISS  E.  W.  N.  OF  NEW  GENEVA. 

Morgantown,  Friday  Evening,  July  30t/i,  1830. 

I  sincerely  thank  you  for  your  letter, 
and  I  hope  you  will  favour  me  with  many 
such.  .  .  But  I  must  write  about  that  which 
is  nearest  my  heart :  I  find  it  vain  to  attempt 
to  think  of  any  thing  else.  I  am  now  about 
to  perform  the  most  solemn  act  of  my  whole 
life  :  an  act  which  will  be  a  source  of  joy 
or  misery  to  me,  not  only  in  time  but 
throughout  eternity.  I  tremble  at  the 
thought :  and  were  it  not  that  the  promises 
of  our  Father  in  heaven  are  sure,  I  would  not 
dare  publicly  profess  to  love  and  serve  him. 
For  I  fear  that  I  shall  often,  0  yes,  too  often, 
])ring  reproach  upon  his  holy  cause.  And 
what  am  I,  that  I  should  approach  the  feast, 
which  the  Lord  has  spread  for  his  saints? 
I  who  am  the  vilest,  the  most  unworthy,  the 
most  ungrateful  of  all  his  creatures;   how 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     L  O  \V  R  I  E.  4i) 

shall  I  dare  partake  of  the  symbols  of  tlic 
Redeemer's  sufiferings  ?  Pray  for  me  dear 
F.  I  hope  you  do  pray  that  I  may  not  eat 
and  drink  condemnation  to  my  never-dying 
soul.  What  shall  I  do?  I  fear  to  go  for- 
ward, and  yet  I  cannot  stay  away.  I  do 
most  earnestly  desire  to  be  united  to  the 
people  of  God.  I  do  desire  to  obey  all 
God's  commandments.  And  though  I  am 
weakness  itself,  I  know  there  is  one  who  is 
mighty :  and  I  have  a  little  faith,  a  waver- 
ing belief,  that  his  promises  will  be  fulfilled 
in  my  case. 

Monday  Morning,  August  2d. 
I  do  not  feci  altogether  happy  this  morn- 
ing ;  I  have  made  such  solemn  promises 
to  God.  I  cannot,  as  I  should,  forget  mi/- 
self,  and  trust  alone  in  Him,  who  has  pro- 
mised that  his  grace  shall  be  sufficient  for 
all  who  rely  upon  him.  I  fear  I  shall  prove 
an  unfaithful,  unbelieving  member  of  the 
church  of  Christ.  It  is  a  most  solemn  ser- 
vice to  dedicate  one's  self  to  the  Lord. 
But  I  then  felt  strong.  I  felt  a  confidence 
that  I  should  be  supported   in  the  path  of 


50  M  E  M  0  I  R     O  F 

duty.     But  I  have  not  now  that  comfort- 
ahle  feeling. 

Mr.  F.'s  sermon,  on  Saturday  night,  was 
particularly  affectionate  and  persuasive.  It 
was  from  Jer.  iii.  4  :  '*  Wilt  thou  noi,  from 
this  time,  cry  unto  me,  My  Father,  thou 
art  the  guide  of  my  youth. '^ 

Your  sincere,  but  very  unworthy  friend, 
Louisa  A.  Wilson. 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  TO  MISS  M.  A.  N. 
Morgantoicn,  Avg.  2d,  1830. 
I  am  scarcely  able  to  describe  my  feel- 
ings this  morning;  but  there  is  in  my  mind 
a  confused  thought_,  that  there  is  a  great  work 
for  me  to  do  ;  and  yet,  I  scarcely  know  what 
it  is.  But  I  think  it  is,  or  ought  to  be,  to 
"  cease  to  do  evil,  and  learn  to  do  well."  I 
do  not  know  that  I  ever  before  felt  so  much 
the  necessity  of  doing  this.  ...  I  have 
promised  to  renounce  the  world!  What  is 
it?  the  gay,  the  giddy,  the  fashionable,  the 
fascinating  world  !  Yes ;  with  the  sincerest 
joy  I  can  say  to  it,  Farewell;  for  the  re- 
membrance of  my  career  in  it  brings  with  it 
bitterness  of  soul.  Yours  sincerely, 

Louisa. 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     L  0  \V  R  I  E.  51 

Though  the  period,  when  the  subject  of 
these  memoirs  made  a  public  profession  of 
her  laith,  was  one  of  uncommon  coldness  in 
the  church,  yet  her  subsequent  life  may  well 
be  characterized  as  one  of  peculiar  light  and 
comfort,  and  great  activity  in  the  Saviour's 
cause.  Her  earnest  attention  to  the  means 
of  grace,  and  her  great  enjoyment  in  public 
ordinances  and  in  private  devotion,  attested 
the  sincerity  of  her  faith,  not  less  than  the 
readiness  with  which  she  engaged  in  every 
proper  attempt  to  advance  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom.  The  sick  bed  and  the  house  of 
mourning,  often  bore  witness  to  her  soothing 
and  sympathizing  presence :  and  the  Sabbath 
school,  and  the  different  benevolent  enter- 
prises of  the  age,  shared  largely  in  her 
efforts  to  do  good.  Her  letters  and  private 
papers,  during  this  period,  as  will  be  seen, 
evidence  great  singleness  of  desire  to  honour 
the  Redeemer;  aiid  also,  that  her  communion 
with  the  Father  and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ 
was  very  near,  and  constant,  and  refreshing  : 
while  there  is  equal  evidence  of  great  humi- 
lity, and  resignation  to  the  divine  will ; 
distrust  of  herself,  and  confidence  only  in 


52  MEMOIROF 

the  imputed  righteousness  of  lier  Lord  and 
Saviour. 


JOURNAL,  1830. 

Sabbath  morning,  *^u gust  ISth. — I  can 
never  sufficiently  praise  the  Lord  for  the 
privileges  of  the  Sabbath.  It  is  a  blessed 
day  of  rest  from  earthly  cares  and  toils. 

"  Oft,  when  the  world  with  iron  bauds, 
Hath  bound  me  in  its  six  days'  chain; 
■  This  bursts  them,  like  the  strong-  man's  hands, 
And  sets  my  spirit  free  ag-ain." 

Oh  that  the  flames  of  love  and  gratitude 
may  continually  ascend  from  the  altar  of  my 
heart,  to  my  kind  Father,  for  all  his  mercies  ! 
I  wish  to  live  for  him  alone ;  to  bow  with 
resignation  to  his  will;  to  trust  him,  love 
him,  serve  him,  with  all  my  powers.  Oh, 
praise  the  Lord  !  praise  him  all  ye  saints  of 
God  !  praise  him  all  his  works  !  Bless  the 
Lord,  Oh  my  soul ! 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.     L  O  W  R  I  E.  53 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  TO  MISS  M.  A.  N. 
Morgantown,  August  20thy  1830. 
Beloved  M  : 

I  know  not  where  you  arc ;  Ijut  I  am 
sure,  if  you  have  sight  and  feeling,  you  are 
admiring  this  lovely  morning.  All  nature 
seems  rejoicing;  and  my  heart  joins  in  the 
general  gladness. 

Oh,  that  I  could  always  feel  as  humble,  as 
dependant,  as  contented  and  thankful,  as  I 
do  at  this  moment !  But  my  wicked  heart 
w^ill  grieve  Him  whom  I  desire  to  love 
supremely,  and  serve  with  all  the  energy  of 
my  nature.  God  is  love.  Oli,  how  pleasant 
to  feel  his  love  in  the  heart ! — to  find  the 
heart  (naturally  selfish  and  contracted)  ex- 
panding under  the  influence  of  grace,  and 
embracing  in  its  affections,  all  mankind — all 
creation,  because  all  is  the  workmanship  of 
our  God  and  Father.  Tell  F.  I  dearly  love 
her,  but  cannot  write  now.  Farewell,  dearest 
M.,  and  may  perfect  peace,  Ihrougli  the  Lord 
and  Saviour,  ])e  youi\s. 

Ever  your  friend, 

Louisa. 


54  MEMOIROF 

TO  THE  SAME. 

Morgantown,  Oct.  22d,  1830. 

In  my  late  visit  to  Wheeling,  I  found 
many  things  to  delight,  and  many  to  depress 
me.  I  was  pleased  to  see  my  dear  aunt,  and 
kind  cousin  E.;  and  to  meet  with  many 
other  friends,  whose  acquaintance,  in  former 
visits,  I  was  too  giddy  to  cultivate.  I  also 
heard  some  excellent  sermons,  and  conti- 
nually rejoiced  that  I  was  not  pursuing  the 
course  that  I  had  on  all  former  visits  to  that 
place.  But  every  thing  I  saw  reminded  me 
of  some  scene  of  past  folly ;  and  I  felt  hum- 
bled by  the  remembrance.  My  heart  ached 
to  see  beings,  possessing  immortal  souls,  so 
entirely  given  up  to  vanity — grasping  at 
shadows,  and  running  on  swiftly  and  gaily 
to  their  own  destruction. 

The  weather  was  most  pleasant  for  travel- 
ling. I  never  enjoyed  the  fall  of  the  year 
so  much.  There  was  such  a  warning  voice 
in  every  falling  leaf.  The  woods  looked  so 
brilliant;  yet  melancholy,  because  decay 
was  the  cause  of  this  brilliancy:  and  they 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     L  O  W  R  I  E.  55 

seemed  as  if  they  were  clad  in  gorgeous 

mourning  apparel. 

Yours  sincerely, 

Louisa. 


JOURNAL,  1830. 

Sabbath,  October  ^\st. — The  Lord  is  my 
God,  my  Father,  my  friend.  He  is  my 
strength  and  salvation.  Jesus  is  my  Saviour, 
my  elder  brother.  The  Holy  Spirit  is  my 
comforter,  and  my  guide.  Therefore  I  will 
not  fear,  though  the  earth  be  removed; 
though  the  mountains  be  carried  into  the 
midst  of  the  sea.  I  am  secure,  for  my  trust 
is  fixed  upon  the  Rock  of  ages.  Oh,  how 
delightful  is  the  service  of  the  Redeemer ! 
His  yoke  is,  indeed,  easy,  and  his  burden 
light. 

This  is  ti-uly  a  Sabbath  to  my  soul.  Oh, 
how  sweet,  after  the  clouds  and  storms  of 
the  past  week,  to  enjoy  this  calm  repose, 
this  perfect  peace  !  Glory  be  to  God  for  his 
goodness ! 

November  2d. — This  day,  I  am  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  In  looking  over  my  past 
5 


56  MEMOIROF 

life,  I  cannot  but  mourn  to  think  that  I  have 
lived  to  so  little  purpose.  N.  had  preached 
three  years,  before  he  was  twenty-one ;  and 
what  have  I  ever  done  ?  Absolutely  nothing. 
Lord,  I  am  the  most  unprofitable  of  all  thy 
servants.  Help  me,  henceforth,  better  to 
fulfil  the  great  end  of  my  being. 

But  I  do  rejoice,  this  day,  that  I  w^as  ever 
created :  and  it  is  the  first  of  my  birth-days 
I  have  ever  spent  happily,  since  I  was  capable 
of  reflection.  I  have,  heretofore,  felt  most 
acutely  on  every  recurrence  of  this  period, 
that  I  was  not  living  to  the  glory  of  God, 
nor  for  my  own  welfare.  I  felt  that  I  was 
ripening  for  a  miserable  eternity.  But  this 
day  I  am  happy;  for  I  feel  that,  sinful  as  I 
have  been,  and  still  am,  I  have  obtained  an 
interest  in  the  blood  of  Jesus.  I  feel  that 
God  is  my  Father;  that  he  will  ever  support 
me,  and  enable  me  to  glorify  him  here;  and 
for  the  sake  of  Jesus,  will  receive  me  to 
praise  him  evermore  among  the  blessed  on 
high.  I  do  thank  the  God  of  love  for  this 
hope,  this  blessed  confidence;  for  it  does  in 
some  measure  raise  me  above  the  things  of 
this  world,  and  feast  my  soul  with  the  joys 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    LOWRIE.  57 

of  heaven.*  It  has  been  said  that  each  an- 
niversary of  our  natal  day  shadows  forth  the 
scenes  of  the  ensuing  year  through  life. 
This  is  superstitious,  yet  I  always  think  of  it. 
My  last  birth  day  was  alternate  clouds  and 
sunshine;  so  has  the  past  year  of  my  life 
been  made  up  of  alternate  grief  and  joy. 
This  day  has  been  most  calm  and  beautiful. 
The  mild  sun  of  autumn  has  shone  with  un- 
clouded lustre,  almost  entirely  dispersing  the 
smoke  of  Indian  summer;  and,  in  spite  of 
the  brown  and  leafless  appearance  of  the 
forests,  producing  the  cheerful  aspect  of 
spring.  The  birds  are  singing;  autumn  flow- 
ers are  blooming;  and  even  some  that  had 
withered,  under  the  rays  of  the  mid-summer 
sun  are  beginning  again  to  appear  on  the 
earth.  To  me,  all  nature  appears  to  be  re- 
joicing; for  this  is  the  first  2d  of  November 
that  has  ever  found  me  endeavouring  to  walk 
in  the  paths  of  righteousness,  w^th  God  for 
my  Father,  Jesus  for  my  Saviour,  and  the 

*  And  such,  it  is  believed,  is  the  practical  influence 
of  the  doctrine  of  the  saints'  perseverance,  upon  all 
real  Cliristians,  who  receive  it  on  the  testimony  of 
God. — [Compiler.] 


58  M  E  M  O  I  R    O  F 

Holy  Spirit  for  my  director.  And  though 
many  storms  may  assail  me  during  the 
coming  year,  may  my  heart,  under  the  mild 
beams  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  and  re- 
freshed by  the  gentle  dews  of  heavenly 
gr^ce,  -produce  abundant  fruits  of  holiness, 
acceptable  to  God  through  Jesus  Christ. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  TO  MISS  M.   A.  N. 
Morgantown^  Dec.  1st,  1830. 
Beloved  M. 

Believe  me,  I  had  not  a  single  hard 
thought  of  you.  For  though  I  was  extremely 
anxious  to  hear  from  you,  I  felt  assured  that 
your  delay  did  not  proceed  from  neglect, 
but  from  not  being  fully  aware  of  the  plea- 
sure you  would  give  me  by  writing.  Eu- 
genius  and  his  family  are  now  gone;*  but  I 
am  enabled  to  feel  more  comfortable  than  I 
could  have  expected  in  these  tiircumstances. 
When  we  pray  that  the  Lord  would  "  choose 
our  changes  for  us,'^  we  should,  certainly, 
receive  all  as  coming  from  his  hand.     He 


*  He  had  removed  to  Wheeling-. — [Compiler.] 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.     I.  O  W  R  I  E.  59 

does  all  things  well;  and  we  should   not 
repine. 

What  a  delightful  autumn  we  have  had !  I 
never  enjoyed  that  season  half  so  much. 
Even  winter  does  not  appear  so  dreary  to 
me  as  formerly.  I  enjoy  much  peace — 
peace  which  the  world  cannot  take  away — a 
peace  which  nothing  disturbs  but  sin.  Oh, 
were  it  not  for  sin,  how  happy  should  we 
be,  even  in  this  world!  Surely  it  is  wortli 
while  to  war  with  our  evil  natures,  and  with 
the  powers  of  darkness  here;  that  we  may 
be  received  through  Christ,  to  those  blessed 
mansions  where  sin  is  no  more. 

Dear  M.,  have  you  ever  felt  a  sense  of 
pardoning  mercy  ?  Can  you  feel  that  the 
Most  High  is  your  reconciled  Father  through 
Christ?  Jesus  must  be  the  only  foundation 
of  our  hopes,  or  they  are  altogether  vain. 

Mrs.  C.  was  here,  several  days  before  M. 
left  us.  How  sweet  it  is  to  be  with  her.  I 
could  truly  say  to  her, 

*  Our  souls  by  love  together  knit, 
Cemented,  mixed  in  one  ; 


60  M  E  M  0  I  R     0  F 

One  hope,  one  heart,  one  mind,  one  voice ; 
'Tis  heaven  on  earth  begun." 

Farewell,  dear  M. 

Your  sincere  friend, 

Louisa. 

letter  to  miss  f.  w.  n.  of  new  geneva. 
Morgantown,  Feb.  15, 1831. 

My  heart  responds  to  yours,  dear  F.,  "I 
am  so  happy."  Oh !  why  should  we  not 
always  be  happy,  seeing  we  have  a  God  of 
such  unbounded  mercy  for  our  Father  ?  I  do 
feel,  this  night,  that  he  is  my  dear  Father; 
and  that  he  will  never  leave  me,  nor  forsake 
me.  I  feel  as  if  I  could  never  again  mur- 
mur at  his  dispensations.  Oh,  the  ingratitude 
of  which  I  have  been  guilty;  the  pride  and 
self-will  I  have  indulged !  But  his  hand 
was  stretched  out  still :  and  now,  after  wading 
through  deep  waters,  for  many  weeks,  I  feel 
thai  love,  peace,  and  joy,  which  he  alone 
can  bestow. 

I  will  yet  hope  that  your  dear  mother 
may  be  spared  to  you  many,  many  years. 
Yes;  dear  F.,  I  could  wish  that  you  may 
ever  be  preserved   from   experiencing  the 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.    L  0  W  R  I  E.  61 

bitterness  of  the  orphan's  lot.  But  why  do 
I  speak  so  ?  Surely  God  has  supplied  the 
place  of  a  father  and  mother  to  me.  But 
still,  there  is  a  yearning  after  these  earliest, 
dearest  objects  of  the  heart's  affections,  that 
can  never  be  subdued  while  life  continues. 
We  certainly  are  in  the  hands  of  One,  w^ho 
knows,  perfectly  well,  what  is  best  for  us: 
and  I  have  reason  to  believe,  that  if  my 
parents  had  been  spared  to  me,  my  affections 
would  have  been  too  much  chained  to  earth. 
Thanks  to  God,  I  can  look  forward  to  a  joyful 
meeting  with  them  where  all  is  love. 

You  ask  about  the  eclipse.  I  did  not  "  en- 
joy" it  so  much,  because  the  day  was  rather 
cloudy.  But  I  "  enjoyed"  the  thought,  that 
the  eyes  of  all  my  friends  were,  perhaps,  at 
that  very  moment,  fixed  upon  the  same  ob- 
ject. How  soon  could  I  then  have  paid  off 
my  epistolary  debts,  had  it  been  possible 

"  To  make  its  disk  my  ample  page, 

And  write  ray  thoughts  and  wishes  there." 

Farewell, 

Louisa. 


62  MEMOIROF; 

EXTRACT  OP  A  LETTER  TO  MISS  M.  A.  N. 

Morgantown,  May  16th,  1831. 

Dear  M. 

Eugenius  is  yet  very  ill.  He  is  ex- 
tremely weak — not  able  to  speak  above  a 
whisper.  M.  is  here;  but  the  children  have 
not  yet  arrived.  We  expect  them  this  even- 
ing. Cousins  E.  and  H .  W.  are  here.  Dr. 
H.j  of  Rockbridge,  also,  has  been  with  us 
more  than  a  week.  The  presence  of  these 
friends,  and,  more  than  all,  the  never-failing 
goodness  of  God,  cause  me  ]to  feel  peace  of 
mind,  content  and  happiness,  in  circum- 
stances calculated  very  much  to  depress  the 
spirits.    The  Lord  enable  me  to  be  grateful ! 

Have  you  ever  read  Baxter's  "  Saints' 
Rest?"  I  have  been  delighted  with  it.  In 
perusing  it  my  poor  earthly  mind  would 
sometimes  forget  its  earthliness,  and  enjoy 
such  foretastes  of  the  ^Rest'  above,  as  to 
make  me  willing  joyfully  to  bear  all  the 
troubles  of  this  life,  seeing  that  that  eternity 
which  succeeds  it,  is  so  blessed.  I  am  glad 
that  I  was  "born  to  die."  But  I  feel  willing 
to  wait  "all  the  days  of  my  appointed  time," 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.    LOWRIE.  63 

knowing  that,  the  Lord,  even  my  God,  will 
take  care  of  me,  and  not  suffer  me  to  want 
any  good  thing. 

May  the  Lord  be  with  you  evermore. 
Louisa  A.  Wilson. 

The  following  was  penned,  a  little  more 
than  a  week  after  the  death  of  the  much 
lamented  brother  above  referred  to.* 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  TO  THE  SAME. 
Morgantown,  June  2c?,  1831. 

If  it  were  not  for  the  consolations  of 
religion,  I  sometimes  think  I  could  not  live 
a  single  day.  I  desire  tvith  joy  to  submit 
to  every  dispensation  of  Providence;  and 
fear  that  I  too  often  indulge  a  murmuring 
disposition,  without  being  conscious  of  it.    I 

*  Eugenius  M.  Wilson,  son  of  Thomas  Wilson, 
Esq.,  was  bred  to  the  profession  of  the  Law ;  and 
possessing  a  vigorous  mind, and  persevering  industry, 
he  soon  attained  to  a  high  degree  of  respectability  in 
that  profession.  He  united  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  Morgantown,  when  he  was  scarcely 
twenty  years  of  age ;  and  throughout  his  life  main- 
tained the  character  of  an  exemplary,  active,  decided 


64  MEMOIROF 

know  that  trials  are  necessary  for  me ;  but 
my  stubborn  heart  will  not  receive  them 
with  thankfulness.  At  the  time  of  my  be- 
loved brother's  death,  I  seemed  to  have  a 
torrent  of  strength  poured  down  upon  me. 
Nature  seemed  struggling  for  the  mastery  in 
my  bosom,  but  something  kept  it  down.  At 
the  moment  of  his  death,  and  for  a  short 
time  after,  I  felt  perfectly  calm.  But  when 
I  left  ^he  room,  the  thought  that  he  was  now 


Christian,  exerting  all  his  influence  (and  it  was  great) 
in  behalf  of  the  cause  of  religion.  While  he  was  yet 
a  youth,  he  was  elected  to  the  eldership,  in  the  church 
to  which  he  belonged,  and  ever  fulfilled  its  duties 
with  fidelity,  and  distinguished  usefulness.  He  had 
removed  to  Wheeling;  and  had  returned  to  Morgan- 
town,  on  a  visit  for  the  transaction  of  some  business, 
when  he  was  attacked  with  a  disease  of  which  he 
never  recovered.  When  informed  by  the  attending 
physician  that  he  had  but  a  few  days  to  live,  he 
exclaimed,  "  Then,  thank  God,  I  am  nearer  heaven 
than  I  had  expected."  His  removal  in  the  prime  of 
life,  and  in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness,  is  one  of  those 
inscrutable  dispensations  which  characterize  Him, 
whose  throne  is  surrounded  by  "  clouds  and  dark- 
ness." 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    L  0  W  R  I  E.  65 

to  put  off  the  garments  of  the  living,  and  to 
be  dressed  for  the  grave,  almost  overcame 
me.  In  prayer  I  found  relief.  I  could  naw 
sec  him  clothed  in  light,  freed  from  all  sin, 
and  beyond  the  reach  of  sorrow,  joining  in 
the  songs  of  angels  and  glorified  saints.  I 
felt  that  it  was  extreme  selfishness  in  me  to 
mourn  his  departure ;  and  that  I  ought  rather 
to  rejoice.  And  I  then  thought  I  was  wil- 
ling to  see  every  one  of  niy  friends,  even  the 
nearest  and  dearest,  go  as  he  had  gone.  But 
it  is  not  often  that  I  have  felt  so  since.  Oh, 
for  more  grace ! 

Yours  in  love, 

Louisa. 

TO  miss  f.  w.  n. 

Morgantown,  June  8th,  1831. 

This  morning  is  so  beautiful,  dear  F., 
that  I  can  hardly  keep  my  eyes  fixed  upon 
my  paper  while  I  write  to  you.  I  know 
you  are  now  up,  and  perhaps  admiring  its 
calm  beauties.  I  am  quite  well  now,  con- 
tinually wondering  at  the  goodness  of  God, 
who  blesses  me  vvitli  health,  when  so  many 


66  MEMOIROF 

others,  more  useful  and  more  anxious  to  live 
than  I,  are  laid  low  with  disease,  and  carried 
to  the  tomb.  I  am  so  wonderfully  spared, 
that  I  desire  to  know  what  it  is  for,  that  I 
may  perform  the  service  which  the  Lord 
has  appointed  for  me :  and  as  in  his  service 
alone  I  find  pleasure,  I  desire  to  give  myself 
up  wholly  to  him.  I  do  thank  him  that  he 
is  such  a  kind  Father  to  the  fatherless.  His 
goodness  is  so  great  to  me,  that,  if  it  were 
possible,  I  should  forget  my  orphan  state. 

Dear  F.,  I  often  fear  I  sin  in  indulging  so 
great  a  desire  to  ^*  depart  and  to  be  with 
Christ.'^  But  it  is  no  wonder;  for  as  N. 
remarked,  in  a  letter  I  received  from  him 
yesterday,  half  of  our  family  are  now  in 
glory.  And  I  long  to  join  them  there.  The 
journey,  through  this  life,  would  be  incon- 
ceivably more  pleasant,  if  I  were  sure  that 
all  who  are  dear  to  me  would  at  last  find 
salvation.  But,  oh  the  separation,  the  awful 
separation,  which  takes  place  between  the 
friends  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  those  who 
refuse  to  serve  him !  I  often  feel  anguish 
of  spirit  in  thinking  of  it.  But  when  I 
reflect  that  it  is  not  necessary  that  any  should 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     LOWRIE.  67 

be  lost,  I  feel  encouraged  to  pray  for  all, 
even  the  most  hopeless ;  and  sometimes  feel 
a  confidence  that  prayer  for  them  will  not 
be  unavailing.     Yours  in  love, 

Louisa  A.  Wilson. 


JOURNAL,  1S31. 

Saturday,  June  Wth. — In  reviewing  my 
life  for  a  year  past,  I  find  so  much  for  which 
to  praise  the  Lord,  that  I  feel  oppressed  with 
a  sense  of  my  ingratitude.  Mercies  unnum- 
bered have  crowned  this  year,  the  most 
blessed  of  my  life.  In  it,  the  Lord  has 
changed  my  heart;  and  given  me  to  feel 
that  Jesus  is  my  friend :"  and,  as  often  as  I 
have  wandered  from  him,  he  has  drawn  me 
back  by  mercies  or  chastisements.  During 
the  last  autumn  my  way  was  so  clear,  the  cur- 
rent of  my  life  so  smooth,  and  my  path  so 
strewed  with  flowers,  that  I  almost  feared  I 
was  not  one  of  those  who  should  "  come  out 
of  great  tribulation." 

In  examining  my  views  and  feelings,  I 
find  that  I  am  very  much  changed.  I  can 
scarcely  recognize  my  former  self.  Added 
6 


68  MEMOIROF 

to  a  disposition  naturally  cheerful,  I  possessed 
an  intense  desire  for  happiness;  and  perhaps 
enjoyed  as  much  as  was  ever  felt  by  an 
unregenerate  heart.  But,  in  the  midst  of 
all,  I  found  there  was  something  wanting, 
without  which  I  could  not  rest.  The  Lord 
gave  me  to  see  that  this  was  religion.  I 
sought  religion — I  tasted  of  his  love;  and 
found  that  all  I  had  hitherto  enjoyed  was 
nothing; — mere  negative  happiness.  I  de- 
sired to  love  the  Lord  with  my  whole  soul. 
I  cared  not  what  should  befall  me ;  I  only 
asked  holiness  of  heart.  Oh,  my -God  !  thou 
knowest  I  was  sincere :  and  if  I  have  since 
murmured  against  thee,  on  account  of  the 
means  thou  hast  employed  to  subdue  me,  for- 
give I  beseech  the6 — pity  my  feeble  frame  ! 
I  do  not  ask  thee  to  lessen  my  sufferings ;  I 
only  ask  suffering  grace.       *       *       * 

[After  alluding  to  trials,  which  she  felt 
very  severely,  she  proceeds  as  follows :] 

I  know  all  this  is  intended  for  my  good; 
and  I  desire  to  praise  the  Lord  for  it.  Some- 
times I  do.  But  corrupt  nature  too  often 
rises  in  rebellion  against  the  Disposer  of  all 


^  MRS.    LOUIS  A     A.    LOWR  IE.  69 

events.  In  some  respects,  my  sorrows  ap- 
pear to  be  sanctified  to  me.  Feeling  that 
earthly  help  can  be  of  no  avail,  I  lean  with 
more  entire  and  simple  dependance  on  God. 
I  also  feel  more  for  those  who  are  afflicted. 
I  am  more  desirous  that  all  should  enjoy  the 
comforts  of  religion,  since  there  is  an  "  evil 
day"  for  every  one,  and  that  it  is  necessary 
to  have  some  other  support  than  philosophy. 
But,  in  many  respects,  my  afflictions  are  not 
sanctified  to  me.      *     *     * 

Oh,  Jesus  !  my  Saviour,  my  Friend  ! 
Thou  who  hast  loved  me  "  with  an  everlast- 
ing love  !"  take  me  for  thine  own.  Mould 
my  heart  aright.  Let  me  have  no  will  of 
my  own.  Grant  me  an  entire  sinking  away 
into  the  will  of  God  ;  a  total  abandonment 
of  all  things  -to  thy  disposal.  Whatever 
thou  mayest  see  fit  to  lay  upon  me,  and  I 
think  I  see  many  deep  sorrows  approaching, 
grant  me  grace  to  bear  it  all  with  joy.  Oh  ! 
glorify  thyself  in  me,  in  any  way  thou  seest 
fit  for  thy  name's  sake.     Amen.  Amen. 

June  I3th. — Much  grace  is  requisite, 
in  order  to  pass  through  this  world  with 
patience.     "  Man  is  born  to  trouble."     But 


70  MEMOIROF 

thanks  be  to  the  Lord,  he  has  said,  "  My 
grace  is  sufficient  for  thee."  Oh  !  were  it 
not  for  strength  afforded  from  on  high,  how 
could  this  frail  body  bear  up  under  the 
weight  of  mental  suffering  ?  It  is  wonder- 
ful that  nature  is  not  exhausted,  and  all  the 
sources  of  life  dried  up,  and  the  material 
part  become  a  victim  to  the  keen  sensations 
of  the  immaterial.  Is  it  right,  in  the  sight 
of  God,  to  indulge  feelings  which  wear  away 
the  constitution  ?  And  is  it  sinful  to  in- 
dulge a  wish  to  depart,  if  there  is  nothing 
important  to  require  our  stay  here  ?  Elijah, 
when  in  deep  affliction,  said,  "  It  is  enough, 
now,  0  Lord,  take  away  my  life  :'^  yet  he 
did  not  refuse  the  food  which  God  miracu- 
lously sent  to  sustain  his  life.  I  apprehend 
that  to  refuse  the  means  of  supporting  life  ; 
or  to  pursue  any  course  which  tends  to  de- 
stroy it,  is  a  species  of  slow  suicide  which 
God  will  punish.  I  fear  that  the  strong  de- 
sire for  death  is  often  excited  in  the  mind 
by  Satan ;  and  proceeds  from  weariness  of 
the  cares  of  life ;  an  unwillingness  to  bear 
what  is  laid  upon  us  ;  or  a  want  of  courage 
to  fight  the  fight  of  faith.    These,  certainly,  - 


M  R  S.     L  0  U  I  S  A    A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  71 

are  not  proper  motives.  Holy  Jol),  though 
the  most  afflicted  of  men,  said,  "  All  the  days 
of  my  appointed  time,  will  I  wait,  till  my 
change  come."  The  Lord  Jesus  did  not 
pray  that  his  disciples  should  be  taken  out 
q/the  w^orld.  "  I  pray  not  that  thou  should- 
est  take  them  out  of  the  world,  but  that  thou 
shouldest  keep  them  from  the  evil.^^ 


EXTRACT    OP    A    LETTER    TO    MISS    F.     W.  N. 
Morganiown,  June  15thj  1831. 

Dear  F. 

In  walking  with  C,  this  evening,  and  look- 
ing at  the  delightful  scenery  which  surround- 
ed us,  I  thought  it  was  well,  it  was  kind- 
ness in  our  heavenly  Father,  to  send  us  sor- 
rows, to  break  the  ties  which  bind  us  here. 
For  the  earth,  when  clothed  with  the  beau- 
ties of  this  season,  and  viewed  at  this  mild 
hour,  appears  so  calm,  so  peaceful,  so  much 
like  heaven,  that  our  hearts  are  almost  ready 
to  say,  "  We  desire  no  other  rest."  And 
were  we  perfectly  free  from  sin,  earth  would 
indeed  be  a  heaven.  Were  we  entirely  "pure 
in  heart,"  we  should  "see  God"  in  every 


72  MEMOIROF 

thing.  But  while  the  defilement  of  sin  con- 
tinues, it  casts  a  gloom  over  all  that  the  eye 
rests  upon.-  In  seeking  happiness,  then,  we 
must  seek  salvation  from  the  power  and 
.dominion  of  sin.  If  we  look  to  ourselves, 
we  are  ready  to  conclude  there  is  no  help. 
But  if  we  look  away  to  Jesus,  and  simply 
rely  upon  him  hy  faith,  all  things  are  possi- 
ble.    Good  night  dear  friend. 

Louisa. 

JOURNAL    1831. 

Sabbath,  June  2Qth, 

"  In  hope,  believing  against  hope, 
Jesus,  my  Lord !  my  God  I  claim." 

Jesus,  my  Saviour  !  come  and  lift  me  up. 
I  am  cast  down.  I  know  not  what  to  ask 
for ;  I  am  blind  and  wretched.  Oh,  my 
God  !  if  I  have  indeed  found  favour  in  thy 
sight  through  the  precious  Redeemer,  send, 
I  beseech  thee,  the  Holy  Spirit  to  enlighten 
and  direct  me.  Show  me  the  deep  depravity 
of  my  heart ;  show  me  also  the  fulness  that 
dwells  in  Jesus.  Fill  me  with  that  abundant 
love  to  thee  which  will  make  every  burden 


MRS.    LOUISA     A.     LOWRIE.  73 

Iitj;ht,  and  every  cross  a  pleasure.  Take  from 
me  tliis  deadncss  of  soul.  Quicken  me  by 
lliy  Spirit,  and  raise  my  thoughts  to  Jesus — 
-to  the  joys  of  heaven  ;  and  enable  me  to 
forget  the  things  that  now  are,  in  anticipa- 
tion of  those  which  shall  be  hereafter. 

June  27. — I  am  surprised  that,  sincere  as 
are  my  desires  to  serve  God,  it  is  yet  so 
painful  for  me  to  bear  the  cross.  Some- 
times it  costs  me  an  agony,  almost  like  sepa- 
rating soul  and  body,  to  reprove  sin ;  but  I 
seem  bound  to  do  it.  I  find  no  rest  for  my 
spirit  while  I  neglect  it. 

It  has  been  remarked,  that  these  five 
things  should  occupy  the  mind,  on  first 
awaking  in  the  morning  :  viz.,  "  1.  Thanks 
for  the  mercies  of  the  night.  2.  Pray  for  a 
blessing  on  the  new  day.  3.  Examine  the 
state  of  your  heart.  4.  Meditate  on  some 
spiritual  subject.  5.  Lay  a  plan  for  the  em- 
ployment of  the  day."  I  desire  continually 
to  practise  these  rules.  I^ord  Jesus,  help 
me  ! 

June  30th. — Why"^is  it  that  I  feel  such 
deadness,  and  at  the  same  time  such  depres- 
sion of  spirits  ?     I  fear  that  I  have  sought 


74  MEMOIROF 

and  obtained  comfort  away  from  God.  And 
must  I  give  up  all  the  joys  of  friendship  ? 
Is  my  heart,  indeed,  so  stubborn,  that  it  must 
be  deprived  of  every  earthly  prop,  before  it 
will  cling  singly  to  God  ?  How  dreary  is 
my  path  !  ^  ^  My  earthly  comforts  from  me 
torn."  This  I  could  bear ;  but  at  the  same 
time,  "  an  absent  God  I  mourn."  Oh,  for 
faith — for  resignation  !  Oh,  for  that  sancti- 
fication  of  heart,  which  makes  the  will  of 
God  dearer  than  my  own.  Oh,  my  God  ! 
take  away  my  earthly  enjoyments  if  they 
separate  between  thee  and  me  ;  yea,  take  all 
from  me,  even  if  my  heart  should  break. 

Sabbath,  July  3d. — "  Oh  Lord  !  our 
Lord  ;  how  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all  the 
earth."  I  will  be  glad,  and  rejoice  in  thee ; 
I  will  sing  praise  to  thy  name,  0  thou  Most 
High  ;  I  have  found  peace  from  my  blessed 
Master.  Now  I  taste  again  of  the  joys  of 
my  first  love.  This  Sabbath  morn  is  to  me 
a  foretaste  of  heaven.  I  praise  the  God  of 
my  salvation  that  his  will  shall  be  done. 
Why  should  I  ever  seek  the  gratification  of 
my  own  will,  when  I  know  it  is  wrong  ?  I 
know,   from    blessed    experience,   that    he 


MRS.    L  O  U  I  S  A    A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  75 

makes  all  things  to  work  together  for  my 
good. 

July  Qth. — Praises  be  to  the  source  of 
all  our  blessings  !  The  Lord  has  raised  us 
up  friends  among  those  who  were  utter 
strangers  to  us.  Yes  !  that  blessed  Sabbath 
School  Society*  in  Philadelphia,  actuated 
by  a  measure  of  that  love  which  brought  the 
Son  of  God  down  to  this  earth,  have  pitied 
the  desolations  of  our  Zion  here.  They 
have  heard  the  weeping  of  these  daughters 
of  Jerusalem,  for  the  privileges  of  the  sanc- 
tuary, and  have  sent  one  to  break  to  them 
the  Jjread  of  life.  We  can  never  make  them 
any  return,  but  by  unceasing  prayer  in  their 
behalf :  and  the  blessings  bestowed  in  answer 
to  prayer,  are  all  that  hearts  such  as  theirs 
will  desire.  May  they  deeply  feel  the  bless- 
edness of  giving — giving,  not  merely  food 
for  the  intellect,  but  life  to  the  soul.     Oh, 


*  The  Sabbath  School  of  the  Seventh  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Philadelphia,  of  which  the  Rev.  Mr.  En- 
gles  was  then  Pastor,  had  generously  undertaken 
to  sustain  a  missionary  at  Morgantown,  under  the 
Assembly's  Boavd  of  Missions. 


76  MEMOIROF 

could  they  but  know  the  deep  emotions  of 
gratitude  they  have  kindled  in  our  hearts, 
they  would  be  already  rewarded.  May 
many  souls  be  converted  through  the  instru- 
mentality they  have  employed  !  And  may 
every  member  of  that  Sabbath  School  re- 
ceive a  bright  crown  of  glory,  and  be  wel- 
comed by  the  voice  of  the  Saviour,  "  I  was 
hungry  and  ye  gave  me  meat,"  and  "  inas- 
much as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the 
least  of  these  my  brethren  ye  have  done  it 
unto  me.''  "Come  ye  blessed  of  my 
Father.''  Praises  be  to  our  common  Lord, 
we  are  branches  of  the  same  vine  ;  and  if 
we  should  never  meet  here,  I  trust,  through 
his  grace,  we  shall  mingle  our  hallelujahs 
before  the  throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb  for 
ever. 

Sabbath,  July  lOth. — Another  week, 
crowned  with  unceasing  mercy  and  lote, 
has  my  God  permitted  me  to  pass  through. 
What  hast  thou  done  for  the  Lord,  Oh  my 
soul  ?  I  have  failed  to  warn  sinners  around 
me  of  their  danger.  I  have  been  disposed 
to  be  satisfied  with  earthly  delights.  Oh 
how  much  easier  to  be  an  entire  Christian 


MRS.    LOUISA     A.    L  0  W  R  I  E.  77 

than  a  half-way  believer  !  I  am  of  the  lat- 
ter class  ;*  and  sometimes  nature  is  almost 
overcome  by  the  struggle  of  the  opposing 
principles  of  light  and  darkness  in  my  heart. 
I  sometimes  ask  myself ;  could  my  pleasant 
home  and  kind  friends  satisfy  me  without 
the  favour  of  Jesus  ?  My  heart  answers, 
No.  Could  riches,  honour,  flattery  ?  No  ! 
no  !  I  feel  discontented  with  every  thing 
without  him.  I  have  found  my  soul's  ex- 
perience in  those  words  : 

"  Oh,  'tis  not  in  grief  to  harm  me, 

While  thy  love  is  left  to  me. 
Oh,  'tis  not  in  joy  to  charm  me, 

Were  that  joy  unmixed  with  thee." 

Sabbath  evening. — I  feel  thankful  that  I 
am  permitted  to  teach  a  class  in  a  Sabbath 
School.  It  is  my  delight — the  happiest 
portion  of  my  existence.  Oh,  what  re- 
ponsibility  rests  upon  me!  Twelve  little 
immortals,  with  unformed  principles,  and 
uninstructed  minds,  looking  up  to  me   to 

'^  "Less  than  the  least  of  all  saints."  Eph.  iii.  8. 
[Compiler.] 


78  MEMOIROF 

teach  them  the  knowledge  of  salvation. 
Lord,  deliver  me  from  blood-guiltiness.  If 
I  have  failed  to  declare  thy  whole  counsel  to 
them,  Lord  convince  me  of  it.  Oh  give  me 
wisdom,  simplicity,  meekness,  patience;  and 
enable  me  to  lead  these  sweet  lambs  into  the 
fold  of  the  Redeemer.  Blessed  Saviour! 
let  not  one  of  them  be  lost.  Before  any 
other  impression  is  produced,  stamp  thine 
own  image  on  their  hearts,  and  let  it  never 
be  effaced. 

Nearly  one  year  has  elapsed,  since  I  co- 
venanted with  my  God  to  be  entirely  his. 
None  but  God  can  know  the  extent  of  my 
wanderings  from  him,  since  that  period. 
How  often  have  I  broken  my  covenant,  es- 
pecially in  permitting  other  lords  to  have 
dominion  over  me.  I  thank  thee — I  will 
ever  praise  thee,  my  God,  for  all  thou  hast 
done  to  me.  I  feel  nearer — much  nearer  to 
God,  than  I  did  this  time  last  year.  I  love 
him  more,  and  have  clearer  views  of  my 
own  sinfulness,  and  of  his  glory.  I  am 
more  weaned  from  the  world,  than  I  could 
have  thought  possible.  All  this  my  adorable 
Friend  has  done  for  me.     And  now,  my 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     L  O  W  R  T  E.  79 

I^ord,  I  consecrate  myself  to  thee  anew, 
thou  source  of  all  my  joys !  In  thy  strength, 
I  engage  to  be  more  devoted  to  thy  service; 
and  to  give  up  all  seeking  after  happiness 
out  of  thee.  Heavenly  Father!  keep  me 
by  thy  grace,  whilst  thou  continucst  me  in 
existence;  and  let  every  moment  be  spent 
in  thy  service.  I  am  thine,  for  ever  thine, 
my  God,  my  Friend,  my  Father.  Fill  me 
with  thy  love:  let  me  be  swallowed  up,  and 
lost  in  that  which  is  thine  own  essence, 
even  love,  perfect  love.     Amen. 

July  Wth. — How  good  is  my  gracious 
Master  to  me!  He  keeps  me  in  perfect 
peace.  He  gives  me  delicious  clusters  from 
the  heavenly  Canaan.  I  have  slept  in  peace: 
I  have  risen  in  health,  with  a  heart  tuned 
to  the  praises  of  my  God.  I  have  the  pri- 
vilege of  looking  out  on  the  loveliness  of 
nature,  and  of  thinking  that  beautiful  as  it  all 
is,  it  is  not  heaven. 

July  I2th. — "Who  shall  separate  us  from 
the  love  of  Christ?  Shall  tribulation,  or 
distress,  or  persecution,  or  famine,  or  naked- 
ness, or  peril,  or  sword  ?"  Rom.  viii.  35.  No, 
dearest  Lord,  none  of  those  things  shall  se- 
7 


80  M  E  M  O  I  R     O  F 

parate  us  from  thy  love.  Tribulation  shall 
but  drive  me  nearer  to  thee.  In  distress, 
where  could  I  find  relief,  but  in  thy  bosom? 
Oh.  then,  shall  persecution?  No:  thou  wilt 
deliver.  Shall  famine  ?  "  The  earth  is  the 
Lord's,  and  the  fulness  thereof."  Or  naked- 
nees?  "God  supplieth  the  needy  with  a 
covering."  Or  peril?  "  Call  upon  me  in 
the  day  of  trouble,  and  I  will  deliver  thee." 
Or  sword?  He  is  our  "help,  and  our 
SHIELD."  "In  all  these  things,  we  are  more 
than  conquerors  through  Him  that  loved 
us."  Therefore  "return  unto  thy  rest,  Oh 
my  soul." 

Evening.  — I  do  not  like  to  go  to  rest.  It 
seems  like  loosing  too  much  time — like  being 
too  long  unconscious  of  the  presence  of  my 
God.  The  Lord  is  unsi:)eakably  kind  to  me. 
My  "peace  flows  as  a  river."  I  wonder 
that  I  am  not  cast  down  on  account  of  my 
vile  nature.  But — Jesus  is  my  all.  I  wish 
for  nothing  but  him.  If  Omnipotence  were 
to  offer  me  all  in  the  universe,  to  gratify  rny 
wishes,  I  would  only  say  "  Thy  will  be 
done." 

July  I3th, — The  Lord  still  makes   my 


MRS.    LOUISA     A.     LOWRIE.  81 

way  pleasant.  I  have  an  abiding  peace. 
Every  duty  appears  delightful;  and  while 
employed  in.  worldly  affairs,  my  thoughts 
arc  on  things  above. 

Thanks  to  God  for  the  privilege  of  reading 
the  life  of  that  blessed  saint,  David  Brain- 
erd !  It  has  increased  my  faith.  I  feel  that, 
through  the  grace  of  God,  I  may  be  made 
as  humble  as  he;  though  I  do  not  feel  as  if  I 
ever  could  be  so  useful. 

July  I6ih — I  have  been  brought  near  to 
death,  but  the  Lord  has  preserved  me ;  and, 
though  much  bruised,  I  have  been  kept  from 
distracting  pain.  Praised  be  the  Lord ! 
w^hile  I  was  lying  on  the  ground,  thinking 
that  perhaps  my  appointed  time  had  come,  I 
felt  that  the  sting  of  death  was  taken  away. 
I  felt  no  desire  to  live — no  fear  of  death:  and 
was  willing  to  suffer  all  things.  The  Lord 
is  mi/  God ;  and  he  is  very  good.  Show 
me,  Oh  my  Father !  wherefore  thou  hast 
preserved  my  life ;  and  enable  me  to  do  thy 
whole  will  and  pleasure,  for  Jesus'  sake. 
Amen.* 

*  She  had  been  riding  in  a  carriafre :  the  horses 


82  MEMOIROF 

July  19 th — I  find  myself  still  prone  to 
imbibe  the  spirit  of  the  world.  Whenever 
I  cannot,  in  the  most  engaging  company, 
and  in  the  most  interesting  conversation,  lift 
up  my  heart  to  God,  and  realize  his  presence, 
I  know  that  I  am  tending  toward  the  service 
of  the  world.  In  this  I  have  sinned  this  day. 
Lord  forgive  me! 

EXTRACT    OF    A   LETTER  TO  HER  SISTER-IN- 
LAW,  MRS.  M.  W.,  AT  WHEELING,  VA. 
Morgantowrif  December  30th,  1831. 

Ever  dear  Sister  M. 

For  sometime,  after  my  return  from 
Wheeling,  I  gave  up  all  expectation  of 
spending  another  summer  upon  earth.  My 
cough  was  so  bad,  that  I  thought  of  nothing, 
but  very  soon  joining  our  dear  family  above. 
The  thought  was  intensely  pleasing  to  me. 
But  now  with  restored  health,  and  prospects 
of  continued  life,  I  find  my  thoughts  again 
borne  down  to  earth. 


being  frightened,  ran  off,  and  she  was  thrown  out 
with  great  violence. — [Compiler.] 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.     L  O  W  R  I  E.  83 

Mr.  Brown's  health  has  improved.  He 
is  an  excellent  preacher,  plain,  pointed,  and 
persuasive.  Our  prayer-meetings  are  pro- 
fitable, ])ut  Oh!  how  few  are  there  of  us; 
and  none  who  appear  to  be  inquiring  the 
way  to  Zion. 

Ever  affectionately  yours, 

Louisa. 

extract  of  a  letter  to  her  sister,  mrs. 
a.  p.  c,  at  uniontown,  pa. 

Wheeling,  March.  22d,  1832. 

Dear  Sister  A. 

I  wish  w^e  could  once  more  behold  toge- 
ther the  unfolding  beauties  of  nature  around 
our  native  home — that  spot,  still  so  dear, 
though  so  many  changes  have  occurred. 
This  day  reminds  me  forcibly  of  the  one,  on 
which,  three  years  since,  we  ascended  the 
hill  just  beginning  to  put  on  its  verdant 
mantle,  and  seated  ourselves  with  our  dear 
friend,  waiting  for  the  return  of  our  still 
dearer  brother.  Dear  sister,  we  enjoyed 
much  of  a  species  of  happiness  then.  Since 
that  time  some  of  those  around  w^hom  our 
7* 


84  MEMOIROF 

fondest  affections  clustered  have  been  torn 
from  us.  We  ourselves  are  separated  and 
can  seldom  see  each  other,  or  indulge  in  the 
sweet  interchange  of  sentiments.  But  still, 
though  many  fond  ties  are  severed,  and  many- 
fountains  of  affection  and  happiness  dried  up, 
I  would  not  for  worlds  be  as  we  were  three 
years  ago.  Oh  no!  no!  The  love  of  Jesus, 
and  the  hope  of  glory  more  than  compensate 
for  all  the  heart-breakings  we  meet  with 
in  the  world.  Oh,  I  can  never  be  thankful 
enough  for  the  kindness  of  my  God ! 

I  wish  I  could  see  you  all  to-day.  I  feel 
as  if  on  the  eve  of  leaving  you  to  take  some 
far  distant  journey,  perhaps  never  to  see  you 
again.  I  cannot  tell  the  cause  of  this  feeling. 
That  God,  who  orders  all  our  changes,  only 
knows  how  widely  asunder  our  lots  in  life 
may  be  cast.  But  there  is  one  unfailing 
consolation:  the  time  is  coming  when  we 
shall  meet,  and  never  part.  Farewell,  dear 
sister;  my  love  to  brother,  sister,  and  L. 

Louisa. 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  85 


June  2Ath. — Attended  a  sacramental 
meeting  at  Brown's  church.*  Felt  no  joy,  but 
deep  conviction  of  selfishness  in  seeking  my 
own  happiness  in  religion,  rather  than  the 
glory  of  God.  Felt  strong  desires  to  spend 
and  be  spent  for  God.  On  my  way  home 
my  horse  fell  with  me;  but  I  sustained  no 
injury.  God's  mercy  is  infinite  !  Resolved 
this  day  that  I  would  seek  more  religion  in 
my  heart,  which  will  give  me  a  solidity  and 
weight  of  character  and  enable  me  to  exert 
a  holy  influence  on  all  with  whom  I  as- 
sociate. 


*  This  church  was  so  named  fi*om  Mr.  Rezeaii 
Brown,  a  licentiate  from  the  Presbytery  of  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.,  who  spent  a  short  time  at  Mor- 
gantown  in  the  capacity  of  a  missionary  ft-om  the 
Assembly's  Board.  It  is  beautifully  situated  on  the 
summit  of  a  high  hill,  about  six  miles  from  Morgan- 
town.  That  accomplished  and  devoted  young  ser- 
vant of  God  now  rests  from  his  labours ;  but  there 
are  many  by  whom  those  labours  will  be  had  in 
eternal  remembrance.— [Compiler.] 


86  MEMOIR     OF 

July  nth, — The  Lord  still  gives  me  rest 
and  peace.  I  am  almost  confident  he  is  pre- 
paring me  for  some  trial.  I  only  pray  for 
supporting  grace.  Lord !  do  with  me  as 
thou  Wilt ;  only  let  all  my  affections,  all  my 
powers,  limited  as  they  are,  be  entirely 
thine. 

Oh,  if  I  had  ten  thousand  souls,  how  sweet 
would  it  be  to  yield  them  all  to  God !  But 
it  is  his  grace  alone  that  imparts  to  me  this 
disposition.  It  is  Christ's  love  that  "con- 
strains me"  to  be  entirely  his.  And  if  he 
were  now  to  withdraw  his  special  grace  one 
moment,  all  the  evil  dispositions  of  my  heart 
would  break  out;  and  I  should  bring  re- 
proach on  his  dear  cause. 

LETTER  TO  HER  SISTER-IN-LAW,  BIRS.  M.  W. 
OF    WHEELING. 

Morgantown,  August  Isf,  1832. 

Dear  Sister  M. 

I  am  thankful  for  any  circumstance  that 
has  occasioned  the  favour  of  so  long  a  letter 
from  you.  You  have  had  many  things  to 
harass  you  since  your  return  home.  But 
there  is  one  thing  which  comforts  me  in  the 


31  R  S.     LOUISA    A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  87 

review  of  all  your  trials  ;  and  that  is,  that 
God  loves  you,  and  is  determined  to  use 
every  means,  however  painful  to  you,  to 
gain  all  your  heart  to  himself.  Afflictions 
are  our  greatest  mercies.  It  is  the  perfec- 
tion of  the  Christian's  happiness  to  lose  his 
own  will  in  the  will  of  God.  And  what  is 
so  well  calculated  to  subdue  our  will,  as  to 
find  our  highest  prospects  blasted,  and  all 
our  expectations  of  ease  and  rest  here,  dis- 
appointed ?  To  please  God,  and  to  promote 
his  glory,  should  be  our  object  in  every  thing: 
and  we  should  be  willing  to  do,  or  suffer 
any  thing,  so  that  we  may  best  answer  the 
end  of  our  existence.  And,  by  the  gracious 
arrangement  of  our  kind  Sovereign,  our  at- 
tempts to  advance  his  glory,  are  the  best 
means  of  attaining  our  happiness. 

Since  you  left  here,  the  Lord  has  been 
unspeakably  kind  to  me.  I  have  enjoyed 
almost  uninterrupted  rest.  No  outward 
trials — few  inward  conflicts.  I  have  felt  as 
if  reposing  on  the  bosom  of  my  Saviour.  I 
could  cheerfully  commit  myself  to  his  care 
with  all  that  I  have — willing  to  live  or  die, 
to  experience  happiness  or  misery,  health  or 


88  MEMOIROF 

sickness — whatever  he  sees  best  for  me  : — 
only  anxious  that  I  may,  in  some  humble 
way,  promote  his  glory  to  whom  I  owe  so 
much.  And  this  has  not  caused  me  to  be  at 
ease,  but  has  urged  me  continually  to  seek 
clearer  manifestations  of  his  love.  And  such 
a  sense  of  my  helplessness  has  remained 
with  me,  as  to  urge  me  constantly  to  a  throne 
of  grace. 

I  have  every  thing  that  my  heart  desires 
of  earthly  good.  I  could  be  happy  with 
much  less.  I  cannot  imagine  that  any  change 
of  worldly  circumstances  could  add  to  my 
happiness.  Indeed,  I  should  be  afraid  to 
have  more  of  this  world,  lest  my  heart 
should  be  drawn  from  my  dearest  Lord.  I 
think  I  am  willing  to  count  all  things  but 
loss  that  I  may  win  Christ,  through  him  be 
crucified  unto  the  world,  and  at  last  ap- 
pear with  him  in  glory.  You  say  nothing 
about  the  female  prayer-meeting.  I  hope  it 
is  continued.  It  would  pain  me  much  to 
hear  of  its  being  given  up. 

Good  bye,  dear  M. ;  peace  be  with  you. 

Louisa. 


M  R  S.    L  O  U  1  S  A    A.    L  0  W  R  I  E.  89 

From  the  foregoing  exhibition  of  her  ex- 
ercises and  feelings,  and  the  character  of  her 
piety,  the  reader  will  not  easily  mistake  the 
doctrinal  views  which  she  entertained. 
The  lofty  standard  of  Christian  character 
to  which  she  aspired,  humble  opinion  of 
herself,  and  her  sublime  and  exalted  con- 
ceptions of  the  Divine  character  ;  joined 
to  a  penetrating  sense  of  her  obligations 
to  unmerited  mercy,  and  a  fixed  and  en- 
tire dependance  on  the  God  of  providence 
and  grace,  bespeak  an  intimate,  and  expe- 
rimental acquaintance  with  that  doctrinal 
system,  whicli  it  is  the  happiness  and  honour 
of  the  Presbyterian  church  to  receive.*  Some 

*  The  British  Encyclopedia,  a  work  evidently  un- 
friendly to  Calvinism,  under  the  head  of  Predesti- 
nation, makes  the  following  declaration  :  "  There  is 
one  remark  which  we  feel  ourselves  bound  in  justice 
to  make,  although  it  appears  to  us  somewhat  singular. 
It  is  this :  that,  from  the  earliest  ages  down  to  tlie 
present  day,  if  we  consider  the  cliaracter  of  the  an- 
cient Stoics,  the  Jewish  Essenes,  the  modern  Cal- 
vinists  and  Janscnists,  when  compared  with  that  of 
their  antagonists,  the  Epicureans,  the  Sadducees,  tlic 
Arminians,  and  the  Jesuists,  we  shall  find  tliat  tliey 


90  MEMOIROF 

time  before  she  became  pious,  her  discrimi- 
nating mind  enabled  her  clearly  to  distin- 
guish between  these  doctrines,  and  the  shame- 
ful caricatures  of  them,  the  offspring  of 
ignorance,  or  malevolence,  which  every 
where  abound.  And,  though  she  found  that 
these  doctrines  were  hated,  reviled,  ridiculed, 
and  calumniated  by  a  very  large  portion  of 
mankind,  yet  the  only  serious  question  with 
her  was,  "  Are  they  a  part  of  the  revelation 
of  God  ?"  A  candid  and  prayerful  exami- 
nation of  the  Scriptures  soon  set  her  mind 
at  rest  on  this  subject  ;  and  the  blessed  in- 
fluence of  these  sublime  truths  was  felt  by 
her  throughout  her  subsequent  life.  In  a 
conversation  with  the  writer,  shortly  before 
her  departure  for  India,  she  expressed  her- 
self very  strongly  in  reference  to  the 
strengthening,  animating,  ennobling  in- 
fluence which  she  derived  from  this  source. 
Instead  of  regarding  her  election  and  sal- 
vation as  the  result  oi  foreseen  goodness 

have  excelled  in  no  small  degree,  in  the  practice  of 
the  most  rigid  and  respectable  virtues;  and  have 
been  the  highest  honour  of  their  own  ages,  and  the 
best  models  for  imitation  to  every  age  succeeding." 


MRS.      LOUISA      A.      L  O  W  R  I  E.  91 

in  herself,  she  was  at  a  loss  to  express  her 
sense  of  the  perfect  frcoiess  and  sovereign- 
ty of  that  mercy,  to  which  she  owed  all 
her  hopes  of  present  and  future  felicity. 
And  she  dwelt  upon  the  cheerfulness  with 
which  she  could  commit  hejrself  into  the 
hands  of  a  God  of  infinite  wisdom  and 
benevolence,  "  who  worketh  all  things  after 
the  counsel  of  his  own  will,"  and  exercises 
(according  to  a  wise  plan)  so  perfect  a  con- 
trol over  all  events,  as  that  nothing  can 
occur  without  his  positive  agency,  or 
wisely  intended  permission.  It  was  sen- 
timents like  these  that  rendered  her  calm 
and  composed  in  prospect  of  committing 
herself  to  the  winds  and  the  waves,  and  in 
view  of  all  the  toils  and  dangers  to  be  en- 
countered in  a  distant  heathen  land. 

In  1832,  the  subject  of  these  memoirs  was 
addressed  by  the  Rev.  John  C.  Lowrie,  son 
of  the  Hon.  Walter  Lowrie.  She  was 
fully  aware  that  he  expected  to  spend  his 
days  in  a  heathen  land,  under  the  direction 
of  the  Western  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 
The  subject  of  personal  labour  among  the 
heathen  was  not  new  to  her  mind.  While 
8 


92  M  E  M  O  I  R      0  F 

praying  for  the  coming  of  Christ's  kingdom, 
she  had  often  been  ready  to  wish  that  some 
way  might  be  opened  in  which  she  could 
go,  and  tell  her  perishing  fellow  creatures, 
personally,  the  way  of  life.  Still,  a  question 
which  involved  the  comfort  and  peace  of 
herself  and  her  friends  so  deeply,  she  felt  it 
to  be  her  duty  to  examine  with  great  care, 
before  she  came  to  any  decision.  Peculiar 
circumstanc'es  rendered  her  still  more  sin- 
cere and  anxious  in  this  inquiry  ;  and  her 
own  motives  and  feelings,  no  less  than  the 
prospect  of  usefulness,  were  prayerfully  con- 
sidered. 


letter  to  her  brother,  the  rev.  n.  wil- 
son, at  alexandria,  d.  c. 

Dearest  Brother.  / 

I  esteem  it  a  great  mercy  that  your  min- 
istry has  been  so  much  blessed  of  the  Lord. 
I  trust  that  amidst  the  showers  of  blessings 
which  have  descended  around  you,  your 
own  soul  has  been  greatly  refreshed  and  in- 
vigorated. I  have  one  complaint  always  to 
make  of  your  letters :  they  are  too  short. 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     L  0  W  R  I  E.  03 

You  write  as  if  in  a  luirry  to  he  done  ;  ])iit 
I  am  thankful  for  even  a  line  from  you. 

I  write  at  this  time  to  ask  your  advice 
on  a  subject  which  has  for  some  lime  been 
bearing  with  weight  on  my  mind.  Foi; 
more  than  a  year  past  my  thoughts  have 
dwelt  much  on  the  condition  of  the  heathen 
world.  My  heart  has  been  deeply  affected, 
when  I  have  read  and  reflected  upon  their 
darkness  and  degradation  ;  and  I  have  felt 
strong  desires  to  do  them  good.  At  first  I 
knew  of  no  way  in  which  I  could  benefit 
them  but  by  my  prayers.  Afterwards  an 
opportunity  was  afforded  me  to  contribute 
to  the  support  of  missionaries  among  them. 
This  I  felt  to  be  a  great  privilege.  As  I 
thought  more  on  the  subject,  my  desires  for 
their  salvation  became  still  stronger,  and  I 
began  to  inquire  whether  I  had  not  some 
additional  duty  to  perform  in  relation  to 
them.  I  was  convinced  from  the  Scriptures 
that  missionaries  should  be  sent  ;  nay  that  it 
was  the  evident  duty  of  every  Christian  to 
do  all  in  his  power  for  the  conversion  of  the 
heathen.  In  asking  myself  what  I  ought 
to  do  for  them  ?  .as  I  had  not  much  to  give, 


94  MEMOIROF 

I  knew  of  no  other  way  than  to  give  my- 
self to  the  work — to  go  to  them  and  labour 
personally  for  their  salvation.  I  came  to 
J  this  conclusion  before  any  prospect  of  goingi/ 
presented  itself.  I  only  felt  a  conviction 
that  if  it  were  the  Lord's  will  that  I  should 
go,  he  would  prepare  the  way."  [Mention- 
ing then  that  the  prospect  of  going  had  been 
brought  several  months  previously,  before 
her  mind  more  directly  for  consideration, 
and  that  she  had  not  felt  prepared  to  decide, 
she  continues,]  ^'  Home,  and  the  friends  of 
my  childhood,  appeared  to  bind  me  here, 
with  cords  that  could  not  be  broken  ;  and, 
still  more,  a  sense  of  my  utter  incompetency 
to  fill  so  important  a  station  made  me  shrink 
from  the  proposal.  Still  my  desires  to  go 
>  were  strong,  and  have  continued  so.  I  know 
'  I  am  unworthy  to  go,  but  think  that  through 
Christ  strengthening  me,  I  may  be  enabled 
to  do  some  little  good — I  think  more  than 
in  my  present  situation.  And,  as  I  desire 
to  live  only  that  I  may  promote  the  Sa- 
viour's glory,  I  think  I  would  make  choice 
of  that  situation  in  which  I  can  most  effectu- 
ally do  this.     I  cannot  have  any  very  dis- 


MRS.    LOUISA     A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  95 

tinct  conceptions  of  the  hardships  and  dis- 
couragements I  would  have  to  undergo,  but, 
if  I  know  myself,  I  think  I  am  willing  to 
suffer  all  things,  even  death  itself,  if  I  may  , . 
but  win  some  to  Christ.     The  endearments-/ 
-  of  home,  and  the  ties  of  friendship  seem  '. 
stronger  than  ever;  but  I  should  not  think  ' 
of  them  ;  for  Jesus  left  his  home  in  heaven  > 
— the  bosom  of  his  Father,  to  die  for  me. 
And  should  not  gratitude  constrain  me  to 
part  with  comforts  which  are  transitory  at 
best,  that  I  may  render  him  some  small  ser- 
vice?    Dear  brother,  I  find  that  I  cannot 
fully  express  to  you  my  feelings.     I  wish  I 
could  converse  with  you,  and  ascertain  all 
your  views  on  this  subject.     Write  to  me 
immediately,  if  you  can  ;  I  must  very  soon 
come  to  some  conclusion,  and  the  responsi- 
bility of  deciding  whether  to  go   or  stay 
seems  too  great  for  me.   I  almost  sink  under 
it.  From  all  the  leadings  of  Providence,  and 
from  all  that  I  can  know  by  prayer  of  the 
will  of  God,  it  seems  to  be  my  duty  to  go. 
And  yet  the  fear  that  I  am  deceiving  myself 
— that  I  should  be  a  hinderance  to  others,  or 
prevent  some  one  from  going  who  would  be 
8* 


96  MEMOIROF 

more  competent — these  things  so  agitate  my 
mind  that  I  have  nearly  lost  my  bodily 
strength.  E.  says,  if  I  feel  it  to  be  duty,  he 
will  not  oppose  me.  All  my  religious 
friends,  whose  sentiments  I  have  been  able 
to  gather,  think  I  ought  to  go.  You  will 
not  of  course,  mention  the  subject  of  this 
letter  to  any  one.  Farewell  dear  brother. 
Louisa  A.  Wilson. 

The  simple  point  before  her  mind  was ; 
"  Where  can  I  do  most  good  V  She  felt 
that  her  covenant  engagements  did  not  per- 
mit her  to  ask,  "  Where  can  I  enjoy  the 
greatest  degree  of  comfort,  refinement,  or 
respectability?"  though  she  had  been  ac- 
customed to  all  these.  ''  Lord  what  wilt 
thou  have  me  to  do  ?"  and  "  Here  am  I  ; 
send  me!"  were  petitions  often  presented  by 
her  to  a  throne  of  grace.  It  may  be  sup- 
posed, in  view  of  an  inquiry  conducted  in 
this  manner,  that  her  mind  would  be  plainly 
directed  of  the  Lord  to  the  proper  conclu- 
sion. Accordingly  we  find  in  hei*  private 
papers,  the  following  record  of  her  decision, 


MRS.     L  0  U  1  S  A    A.    L  0  W  R  I  E.  97 

and  her  views  and  motives  in  reference  to  an 
undertaking  of  such  vast  importance. 

JOURNAL,  1832. 

August  26ih. — I  think  my  convictions 
of  duty  are  clear — not  to  be  mistaken  ;  and 
I  now  feel  determined  that,  if  Providence 
still  point  out  the  way,  I  will  go.  Lord,  en- 
able me  to  delight  in  thy  will. 

LETTER  TO  THE    REV.  N.  WILSON,  AT  ALEX- 
ANDRIA. 

Morgantown,  Sept.  1st,  1832. 
I  must  confess,  dear  brother,  that  I  was 
much  disappointed  in  your  answer  to  my 
letter.  That  you,  wKo  left  your  home  in 
early  youth,  (in  opposition,  too,  to  the  wishes 
of  your  friends,)  that  you  might  do  good — 
you,  who  have  laboured  in  the  vineyard  of/ 
Christ  until  your  strength  is  turned  to  weak- 
ness— who  have  seen  the  uncertainty  of  life 
and  the  folly  of  striving  to  satisfy  the  im- 
mortal soul  with  the  pleasures  of  this  world — 
that  1/ou  should  be  anxious  for  me  to  do 
good  only  where  I  may  live  at  ease,  is  to  ^ 


98  MEMOTROF 

me  indeed,  a  sore  disappointment.     How,) 
..dear  brother,   are   the  heathen  to  be  con-t 
^vVerted  ?   Is  not  the  command,  "  Go  ye  into 
all   the   world,   and  preach  the   Gospel  to 
every  creature,"  still  binding  ?    All  shall  be, 
saved  who  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord.^ 
"  But  how  shall  they  call  on  him  of  whonx^i 
they  have  not  heard;  and  how  shall  they 
hear  without  a  preacher  ?  Is  not  Christianity 
the  same  now  that  it  was  in  the  days  of  the 
Apostles?     Then  there  were  waste  places 
enough  in  Judea  to  occupy  their  whole  time, 
but  they  rested  not.  They  spoke  first  indeed 
to  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel,  but 
they  preached  also  to  those  that  were  "  afar 
off.''     Had  they  cared  only  for  the  souls 
that  were  near  to  il^em,  where  should  we 
have  been  at  this  time  ?     For  we  are  of  the 
wild  olive  tree.     But  no,   they  went  out  to. 
distant  parts  and  did  not  count  their  lives^ 
dear  to  them.     And  shall  we  have  our  chav 
rity  bounded  by  our  own  neighbourhood, 
or  our  own  country  ?     It  is  melancholy  to 
reflect  on  the  small  amount  of  good  accom-- 
plished  by  the  efforts  already  made;    but 
good  has  been  done,  souls  have  been  saved. 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.    LOWRIE.  99 

And  when  we  consider  that  one  soul,  one 
heathen  soul  is  worth  more  than  the  whole 
material  world,  we  cannot  regret  that  much 
money  and  many  lives  have  been  sacrificed 
to  effect  it.  The  object  in  view  is  worthy  of 
perseverance — the  object  is  attainable.  And 
when  men  leave  their  homes  and  the  sweets 
of  Christian  friendship  with  the  single  in- 
tention of  bringing  souls  to  Christ,  I  think 
their  efforts  will  be  blessed,  though  they  may 
not  live  to  see  it.  They  may  die,  and  by  their 
very  death  accomplish  more  than  many  other 
Christians  through  a  long  life.  I  think  the 
claims  of  the  heathen  are  greater,  far  greater 
than  those  of  the  unconverted  among  our-' 
selves.  Here  all  are  favoured  with  the  light 
if  they  profit  by  it.  There  no  Sabbath 
stillness  points  them  to  an  eternal  rest — no 
bible  teaches  them  to  know  and  love  the 
God  of  all  their  mercies.  Their  habitations 
are  full  of  cruelty.  The  females  especially 
are  degraded  to  the  level  of  brutes.  I  do^ 
feel  for  them.  I  do  desire  with  the  blessing 
of  God,  to  elevate  them;  and  I  do  think,  if 
God  in  his  providence  still  opens  the  way 
and  makes  me  feel  it  to  be  my  duty,  that  I 


100  MEMOIR    OF 

will  go  to  them  and  try  to  "  do  them  good." 
It  is  my  comfort  that  my  "  sufficiency  is  of 
God."  Though  weak  and  ignorant,  he  will 
be  strength  and  wisdom.  I  cannot  bear  the 
thought  of  spending  a  useless  life.  The  same 
grace  that  would  be  required  to  enable  me 
to  be  useful  here,  will,  perhaps,  enable  me 
to  be  much  more  useful  in  a  foreign  land. 
The  way  appears  clear  to  me.  I  have  no 
parents  to  require  my  attention.  Many  of 
my  family  have  gone  before  me  into  eter- 
nity, and  those  who  remain  are  happily  pro- 
vided for — there  seem  to  be  no  difficulties 
in  the  way.  I  do  not  expect  earthly  com- 
forts, but  I  do  expect  the  presence  of  Jesus. 
I  am  not  influenced  by  discontent,  or  a  love 
of  change.  My  home  is  as  dear  to  me  as 
ever,  and  I  am  happier  than  ever  in  my  life 
before.  I  have  many  friends,  and  the  Lord 
inclines  them  to  be  very  kind  to  me.  "  I 
have  all  things  and  abound,"  so  that  after 
examining  myself,  I  can  think  of  no  un- 
satisfied earthly  desire.  I  am  happy  while 
watching  by  the  bed  of  sickness,  or  standing  . 
over  the  corpse  of  the  dearest  friend,  if  I 
have  only  the  love  of  Jesus  in  my  heart.    I 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  101 

am  happy  no  where  without  that  love.  I 
have  been  schooled  by  affliction.  I  have 
early  been  taught,  through  the  mercy  of 
God,  that  there  is  no  bright  spot  in  this 
world  where  the  soul  may  rest  at  ease.  I 
look  to  heaven  as  my  home;  and  it  is  my 
sweet  consolation  that  every  moment  draws 
me  nearer  to  it.  Yet  I  am  not  weary  of  life, 
but  desire  to  live  just  as  long  as  I  may  do 
any  good  in  the  world.  Dear  N.  I  hope 
you  will  not  blame  me  for  my  decision.  I 
leave  it  all  with  the  Lord,  and  pray  that,  if 
it  is  not  best  that  I  should  go,  he  would  in 
his  providence  prevent  it.  I  hope  you  will 
seek  the  direction  of  the  Lord  for  me,  re- 
membering that  to  the  prayer  "thy  kingdom 
come,"  is  added  "thy  w^ill  be  done.'^  I 
hope  you  will  wTite  to  me  soon  and  tell  me 
if  you  think  I  am  " beside  myself,"  or  if  you 
do  not  think  on  reflection  that  I  ought  to  go.^ 
Farewell.  May  the  Lord  delight  to  dwell 
with  you  all  continually. 

Yours  affectionately, 

Louisa  A.  Wilson. 


102  MEMOIR    OF 

September  — .  I  have  read  "  Gordon 
Hall's  Appeal,"  and  feel  glad  that  I  have 
determined  to  devote  my  body  as  a  "living 
sacrifice"  to  the  Lord.  Indeed  I  have  never 
regretted  it  a  moment.  I  now  feel  no  soli- 
citude on  the  subject,  except  that  I  may  be 
so  purified  by  grace  divine,  that  I  may  be 
useful  either  in  life,  or  in  death.  It  may  be. 
that  I  shall  yet  be  prevented  from  going.  I 
desire  to  have  no  will  but  the  Lord's — but 
I  can  conceive  of  no  greater  disappointment. 
I  have  prayed,  that  if  I  should  be  a  hinde- 
rance,  or  prevent  a  blessing  from  resting  on 
the  labours  of  others,  I  might  be  detained. 
And  it  may  be  that  I  shall.  Even  so.  Fa- 
ther, whatsoever  seems  good  in  thy  sight. 

September  llth. — I  never  felt  so  anxious 
for  good  health;  and  yet  I  never  felt  stronger 
apprehension  of  a  total  failure  of  it.  The 
Lord  knows  what  is  best  for  me,  and  what 
will  most  promote  his  glori/. 

EXTRACT  OP  A  LETTER    TO  A  FRIEND. 

[Date  not  known.] 
It  was  very  kind,  to  set  forth  so  plainly 
the  difficulties  and  hardships  of  missionary 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     LOWRIE.  103 

life.  Perhaps  the  cause  of  my  thinking  se- 
paration from  friends  the  hardest  trial  is, 
that  I  have  already  experienced  its  bitter- 
ness, and  fear  to  endure  it  again.  Being 
entirely  unacquainted  with  the  other  diffi- 
culties, I  cannot  realize  them.  I  do  not. 
know  that  I  can  take  "a  common  sense 
view'^  of  these  difficulties,  but  I  think  I  can 
take  a  faith's  view  of  them  which  is  not  con- 
trary to  common  sense.  I  believe  that  God's 
mercy  is  as  large  as  his  omnipotence.  I 
believe  he  loves  his  own  children,  and  will 
withhold  i\o  good  thing  from  them.  He  has 
said,  "  Trust  in  the  Lord,  and  do  good ;  so 
shalt  thou  dwell  in  the  land,  and  verily 
thou  shalt  be  fed."  And  when  I  remember, 
that  neither  tribulation,  nor  famine,  nor 
sword,  can  separate  us  from  the  love  of 
Christ ;  I  feel  willing  to  encounter  all  these. 
I  have  been  reading  my  favorite  chapters, 
Rom.  xii.  Col.  iii.  and  Heb.  xi.  and  feel  con- 
vinced that  the  Christian  is  required  to  give 
up  all  for  Christ:  and  these,  with  the  46th. 
Psalm  convince  me  also  that,  through  Christ 
strengthening  him,  he  can  do  it. 

I  have  been,  indeed,  tenderly  dealt  with — 
9 


104  M  E  M  O  I  R     0  F 

have  had  every  indulgence — many  kind 
friends.  For  these  I  thank  the  Giver.  But 
I  feel  that  I  have  rested  too  much  in  them; 
and  when  streams  of  earthly  comfort  fail, 
I  will  go  to  the  Fountain.  I  wish  to  lean 
singly  on  the  bosom  of  my  God. 

As  to  the  labour  I  should  have  to  perform, 
though  unaccustomed  to  it,  I  believe  God 
would  help  me;  I  find  it  impossible  to  per- 
form the  common  and  every  day  duties  of 
life  without  his  assisting  grace.  *  *  *  Will 
not  God  still  afford  me  strength  if  I  give 
vxnyself  up  to  him  ?  I  think  he  will.  This 
body  may  sink  under  accumulated  sufferings 
and  may  soon  die — I  think  this  most  pro- 
bable; but  long  life  does  not  appear  at  all  im- 
portant to  me.  I  want  busy  life,  one  full  of 
efforts  to  do  good,  that  when  the  end  does 
come  I  may  receive  the  welcome,  "  Well 
done,  good  and  faithful.'*^ 

The  thought  of  labouring  "  with  no  fruit, 
no  appearance  of  fruit,"  appears  very  hard 
to  bear,  but  even  here  the  promise  is  suffi- 
cient,, "cast  thy  bread  upon  the  waters,"  &c. 

L.  A.  W. 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.     LOWllIE.  105 


EXTRACT   OF   A   LETTER    TO    MRS.  M.  W.,   OF 
WHEELING. 

Morgantoicn,  Sept.  17, 1832. 

Dear  M., 

If  I  were  now  with  you,  I  could  talk 
a  great  deal  to  you  and  say  many  things 
which  I  cannot  communicate  on  paper. 
I  have  had  many  long  seasons  of  joy  and 
comfort  this  summer,  but  it  seems  now 
that  winter  clouds  have  gathered  over  me 
and  spread  thick  gloom  over  all  my  pros- 
pects. Within  a  few  days  I  have  felt  much 
of  that  weariness  of  life,  that  is  so  sinful, 
and  with  which  I  used  to  be  so  much 
troubled.  I  have  experienced  so  much  of 
this  feeling,  that,  a  few  days  since,  looking 
at  some  withering  flowers,  I  involuntarily 
exclaimed,  "  Oh  that  I  with  you  might  fade, 
and  with  you  fall  and  die."  It  is  because 
of  the  sins  of  my  heart  that  I  feel  thus.  I 
am  conscious  that  I  make  so  little  progress 
in  the  divine  life,  though  I  have  so  many 
helps  and  so  much  to  urge  me  on?  that  I  be- 
come discouraged.  I  do  not  wish  to  live 
unless  for  some  good  purpose,  for  some  good 


lOG  MEMOIR    OF 

end,  and  I  am  weary  of  my  useless  exis- 
tence. Oh,  for  more  of  the  spirit  of  Christ, 
that  I  may  live  and  do  my  Master's  will 
continually.     *     *     * 

M.  A.'s  health  is  slowly  improving,  but 
I  think  she  will  not  visit  Wheeling  this 
autumn.  I  wish  her  very  much  to  go,  and  will 
do  my  best  to  urge  her  off.  But  if  I  should 
go  to  the  Eastward  before  that  time,  I  do 
not  know  how  it  will  be.  The  future  is  so 
uncertain  that  it  seems  almost  folly  to  be 
planning  what  we  will  do ;  and  yet  we  are 
continually  planning.  It  is  an  unspeakable 
comfort  that,  though  '^a  man's  heart  deviseth 
his  way,  the  Lord  directeth  his  steps.  ^'  So 
may  it  be  with  us  !  Dear  M.,  your  letters 
always  give  me  pleasure,  and  I  hope  you 
will  write  to  me  whenever  you  feel  at  liberty, 
and  say  all  that  your  heart  dictates ;  and  oh, 
dear  M.,  whenever  you  bow  before  the 
Lord,  pray  for  me.  This  is  the  greatest 
favour  I  have  to  ask.  Farewell,  dear,  dear 
sister,  and  may  your  Redeemer  be  your 
husband,  and  God  in  his  holy  habitation  be 
a  Father  to  your  children. 

Ever  your  affectionate  sister, 

Louisa. 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  107 

From  this  period  until  the  month  of  May 
following,  when  the  mission  family  sailed 
for  India,  she  was  anxious  to  become  better 
qualified,  especially  in  the  experience  of 
grace,  for  the  great  work  in  prospect ;  and 
she  spared  no  efforts  to  interest  the  afiections, 
and  the  prayers  of  the  people  of  God,  in 
behalf  of  missions  generally,  and  of  the  par- 
ticular mission  in  which  she  expected  to 
embark.  It  is  believed  that  she  was  much 
favoured  of  the  Lord  in  securing  the  warm 
affections,  and  the  prayers  of  many  dear  fol- 
lowers of  the  Saviour ;  and  that  her  memory 
will  long  be  embalmed  in  the  hearts  of  very 
many  in  different  places,  who  loved  her 
dearly  (as  a  friend  remarked)  "  for  her  Mas- 
ter's sake,  for  her  work's  sake,  and  for  her 
own  sake." 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  TO  A  FRIEND. 
,  Sept.  IS,  1832. 

Though  I  feel  so  little  for  the  heathen,  I 
am  pained  to  perceive  that  none,  whom  I 
see,  appear  to  feel  much  more.  I  yesterday 
returned  from  *  *  *^  where  I  attended 
a  four  days'  meeting.  In  all  the  prayers  I 
9* 


108  MEMOIR    OF 

heard,  the  heathen  were  only  once  remem- 
bered :  and  among  all  the  petitions  which 
the  ministers  urged  us  to  present  at  a  throne 
of  grace,  they  never  once  said.  Pray  that  all 
the  ends  of  the  earth  may  see  the  salvation 
of  our  God.  It  is  true  the  heathen  were 
often  mentioned,  to  show  by  contrast  the 
high  privileges  we  enjoy,  and  Mr.  *  *  * 
once  said,  "While  men  here  go  with  dif- 
ficulty to  eternal  ruin,  through  light,  and 
Christian  influence,  and  the  strivings  of  the 
Spirit,  the  heathen  go  on  in  an  easy  un- 
obstructed path  to  hell.'^  At  that  moment, 
I  felt  anguish  of  spirit.  And  shall  we  remain 
here  at  ease,  and  throw  in  their  way  no 
obstacle  to  prevent  their  destruction  ?  Shall 
we  not  lift  up  one  cry,  or  make  one  effort  to 
save  them?  Such  were  the  thoughts  that 
passed  through  my  mind.  If  Christians 
would  only  feel  more  deeply  and  pray  more 
earnestly  on  the  subject,  I  should  feel  greater 
encouragement. 

Louisa  A.  Wilson. 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    LOWRIE.  109 

LETTER  TO  HER  SISTER,  MRS.   A.   P.  C,  AT 
STEUBENVILLE. 

Morgantown,  Oct.  6, 1832. 
Dear  Sister  A. 

I  received  your  long  looked  for  letter 
in  due  time,  and  should  have  answered  it 
sooner,  had  I  not  heard  you  were  in  W., 
where  I  knew  you  would  hear  from  us.  I 
am  glad  you  are  so  pleasantly  situated;  and 
hope  you,  and  brother  C.  may  be  abundantly 
happy  and  useful.  This  lovely  day  reminds 
me  of  delightful  seasons,  now  past  and  gone; 
when,  with  hearts  gushing  with  youthful 
affection,  we  wandered  side  by  side,  over 
our  native  hills;  or  sitting  on  the  moss-co- 
vered log,  read,  or  listened  to  the  sweet 
strains  of  some  favourite  poet;  stopping  at 
intervals,  to  listen  to  the  varied  melody  of 
the  forest  musicians,  or  to  express  to  each 
other  the  feelings  which  the  loveliness  of  the 
landscape  inspired.  Dear  A.,  those  were 
happy  days;  yet  not  so  happy  as  this.  Then 
we  worshipped  nature.  Now  we  love — we 
adore  nature's  God.  Then,  though  sur- 
rounded by  many  things  to  delight  and  ex- 


110  MEMOIR     OF 

hilarate,  we  felt  a  want  of  something;  for  we 
were  orphans,  and  our  hearts  yearned  for 
those  dear  parental  bosoms,  which  had  been 
the  source  of  our  joys,  the  resting  place  in 
all  our  sorrows.  Now  we  have  a  Father  in 
heaven  who  watches  over  us  with  constant 
care;  we  have  those  raised  up  for  us,  on 
whom  our  affections  are  placed;  who  rejoice 
when  we  rejoice,  and  weep  when  we  weep. 
We  are  satisfied.  And  if  all  these  comforts 
should  be  taken  from  us,  and  the  brightness 
of  this  world  should  be  changed  to  gloom, 
we  have  a  sweet  hope  of  a  happy  immor- 
tality, when,  after  sorrow  and  sighing  are 
over,  we  shall  rest  in  the  presence  of  Jesus, 
with  that  circle  of  beloved  friends  who  have 
gone  before  us. 

Oh !  shall  we  ever,  for  one  moment  forget 
that  all  these  mercies  are  the  gift  of  God, 
through  Jesus  Christ  ?  We  are  encompassed 
by  his  love.  Oh !  shall  not  this  thought 
penetrate  our  very  souls,  and  cause  us  to 
render  to  him  the  tribute  of  grateful  hearts, 
and  untiring  obedience. 

At  a  sacramental  meeting  here,  two  weeks 
since,  E.  W.  united  with  the  church.     She, 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     LOWRIE.  Ill 

with  her  four  children,  were  baptized  on 
Saturday  evening.  An  interesting  sight — 
a  widow  presenting  herself  and  her  father- 
less babes  to  the  Lord.  Three  others  were 
admitted  to  the  church. 

I  am  very  busy  a  small  part  of  every  day, 
in  translating  a  life  of  William  Tell  from 
the  French.  This  I  find  to  be  a  pleasant 
occupation.  I  have  been  preparing  for  a 
visit  to  Alexandria,  D.  C,  but  as  the  cholera 
is  now  there,  I  am  not  sure  that  I  shall  go. 
Yours  affectionately, 

Louisa. 

letter  to  a  lady  in  wheeling. 

Morgantown,  Oct.  — ,  1832. 
I  do  thank  you,  my  dear  friend,  for  your 
unwearied  kindness.  Your  second  letter  was 
more  than  I  could  have  expected — but  very 
dear  as  a  proof  of  the  sincerity  of  your 
friendship.  I  must  say  that  you  infuse  a 
little  of  your  own  zeal  into  me,  and  while 
reading  your  letter,  I  felt  my  heart  glow 
with  love  for  you,  principally  because  I  per- 
ceive that  you  so  much  love  the  heathen. 
0  that  every  child  of  God  might  be  awaken- 


112  MEMOIROF 

ed  to  a  sense  of  his  duty  with  regard  to  their 
benighted  souls.  My  heart  aches  sometimes 
because  I  cannot  feel  more  for  them,  or  do 
them  more  good.  Do  tell  me  how  I  may  be 
more  useful  as  a  private  Christian  in  pro- 
moting the  cause  of  Missions.  I  wish  to  do^ 
every  thing  in  my  power.  I  think  I  feel^, 
willing  to  make  any  sacrifice.  But  from  my 
little  zeal,  my  want  of  moral  and  intellectual 
preparation,  I  fear  the  Lord  will  not  permit 
me  to  go  as  a  messenger  of  mercy  to  the 
heathen,  whom  I  pity,  and  whose  souls  I  do 
in  some  measure  love.  It  seems  like  pre- 
sumption in  me  to  hope  for  such  an  employ- 
ment, but  I  do  desire  it.  To  be  always 
employed  for  Christ,  how  delightful  the 
thought!  No  toil,  no  danger,  no  suffering 
is  too  great  to  be  endured  for  him.  Oh,  my 
dear  friend,  it  should  be  no  self-denial  to 
give  up  all  for  our  precious  Saviour.  No, 
no ;  it  should  be  our  greatest  joy.  And  then 
all  that  we  can  do,  all  the  love  we  can  feel, 
falls  so  infinitely  short  of  the  love  of  Je- 
sus for  perishing  souls,  that  when  we  have 
done  all  we  should  weep  that  we  cannot  do 
more. 


M  RS.     LOUIS  A    A.    L  O  W  RI  E.  113 

How  gladly  would  I  have  been  seated  with 
you  and  listened  to  those  "feeling  and  pa- 
thetic descriptions  of  the  condition  of  the 
heathen."  In  imagination  I  see  your  eyes 
now  sparkling  with  delight, — now  dimmed 
with  tears  of  pity.  I  think  it  probable  that 
had  I  been  there  I  might,  as  you  observe, 
"have  been  quite  persuaded."  I  wish  I 
could  see  you.     *     *     * 

When  I  left  you,  the  cheerful  fields  and 
sweet  flowers  of  May  lighted  up  in  the  heart 
bright  hopes,  and  prospects  of  blooming 
hours  and  heart-felt  joys.  With  me,  how- 
ever, such  hopes  have  often  been  disap- 
pointed,— my  prospects  often  clouded, — my 
early  friends  one  after  another  torn  from 
me,  in  order  that  my  heart  might  be  duly 
humbled.  And  finding  that  my  heart,  after 
all,  was  so  proud, — so  far  from  God, — I  could 
not  but  fear  that  sorrow  after  sorrow  in  one 
unbroken  chain  would  mark  my  footsteps  to 
the  grave.  The  Lord  has  thus  far  been  bet- 
ter to  me  than  my  fears.  For  a  few  months 
past  the  colour  of  my  existence  has  been 
changed.  Clouds  have  given  way  to  sun- 
shine.   The  Lord  is  good  and  doeth  good — 


114  MEMOIR     OF 

is  my  song,  and  praised  be  his  name  for  ever- 
more. Though  fearing  always  some  new 
affliction,  and  burdened  often  with  a  sense 
of  that  rebellion  of  heart  which  renders 
affliction  necessary,  yet  the  Lord  has  hitherto 
sustained  me,  and  three  summer  months  have 
been  so  many  months  of  summer  to  my 
soul.  And  now  though  summer  joys  have 
fled,  and  nature  has  put  on  the  faded  garb  of 
autumn,  and  that  too  will  soon  be  laid  aside 
for  the  gloomy  attire  of  winter,  yet  I  do  not 
feel  that  the  heart  should  necessarily  partake 
of  the  colour  of  surrounding  scenes ;  but  if 
steadfastly  fixed  on  Christ,  it  may  enjoy  the 
life  and  freshness  of  spring-time  continually. 
0  if  the  love  of  Christ  can  make  the  soul  so 
happy  amidst  the  sins  and  sorrows  of  this 
world,  what  will  be  the  joys  of  heaven  ! 

I  have  a  plan  for  doing  good,  (for  you  to 
do  good  I  mean,)  and  that  is,  for  you  to 
write  on  the  subject  of  Missions,  and  pub- 
lish in  the  "  Pittsburgh  Christian  Herald." 
You  can  speak  to  the  hearts  of  females,  for 
you  have  a  mother's  feelings,  and  you  ap- 
preciate the  blessings  you  enjoy  as  a  wife 
and  mother,  through   the  influence  of  the 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     LOWRIE.  115 

Gospel — blessings  so  far  superior  to  those 
enjoyed  in  heathen  lands.  Mr.  L.  says  he 
finds  more  of  a  missionary  spirit  among 
females,  than  among  the  other  sex;  and  no 
wonder,  for  Christianity  has  done  more  for 
them  than  for  men.  The  first  sincere  sorrow  I 
recollect  ever  to  have  felt  for  heathen  females, 
was  one  day  when  a  company  of  Indians 
came  here  begging.  I  saw  them  pass  through 
the  yard  of  the  house,  the  females  carrying 
their  children  and  bending  under  the  weight 
of  other  burdens,  walked  humbly  behind  the 
men,  who,  having  nothing  to  carry,  stalked 
proudly  on  without  any  concern  for  their 
miserable  wives.  I  burst  into  tears,  and  fell 
on  my  knees  to  thank  the  Lord  for  the 
blessings  of  the  Gospel,  and  to  pray  that  it 
might  be  made  known  in  every  land. 

Good  bye:  may  every  blessing  that  tlie 
Lord  sees  good  for  you,  be  yours. 

Louisa. 

'  JOURNAL,  1832. 
October  8th, — Now   the  stream  of  life 
flows    smoothly  on — no  care?— no  sorrow. 
Oh,  my  precious  Saviour!     I  would  thank 
10 


116  MEMOIR     OF 

thee  for  these  rich  blessings  thou  hast  so 
dearly  bought  for  me.  I  would  serve  thee 
with  joy  fulness  and  gladness  of  heart;  for 
thou  art  good,  and  doest  good. 

October  lOth. — The  hope  of  heaven,  and 
sweet  communion  with  God  make  the  toils 
and  sufferings  of  this  present  time  light. 
Oh  that  God  would  grant  me  this  favour 
that  I  might  always  be  near  him,  that  I 
might  always  glorify  him. 

October  20th. — For  what  do  I  live  ?  Have 
I  any  business  here  on  earth,  but  to  serve  the 
Lord?  I  know  of  none.  And  yet,  my 
soul !  dost  thou  live  for  God  ?  for  eternity  ? 
I  fear  I  do  not.  One  hope  there  is  for  me; 
my  soul  has  a  relish  for  holiness.  This  is 
implanted  by  grace,  for  I  have  it  not  by 
nature. 

I  continually  plan  for  myself,  and  set  my 
heart  on  my  plans:  and  when  I  see  there  is 
danger  of  their  being  frustrated,  then  I  am 
all  in  despair.  Oh !  this  carnal,  self-sufficient, 
mind;  how  weary  am  I  of  it! 

It  is  now  my  purpose,  if  the  Lord  permit, 
to  go  to  heathen  lands.  This  undertaking 
does  not  appear  distressing  to  me,  but  awfully 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.     L  O  W  R  I  E.  117 

responsible.  Doubt,  as  to  my  capacity  and 
preparation,  makes  me  very  fearful  that  the 
Lord  will  not  permit  me  to  go.  I  do  most 
ardently  desire  it.  I  would  consider  it  a 
high  privilege ;  and  the  sacrifices  I  should 
make,  are  no  more  than  my  heart  subscribed 
to,  when  I  first  gave  myself  to  the  Lord. 
The  trials  and  sufferings  I  may  have  to  en- 
dure, cannot  be  equal  to  those  of  Christ,  and 
therefore  are  not  worthy  of  a  thought  in 
comparison  with  his  love.  All  my  concern 
is,  to  be  prepared  for  usefulness.  I  do  not 
wish  to  go,  to  be  a  clog,  or  to  prevent  the 
blessing  of  God  on  the  mission.  And  yet 
I  feel  that  it  would  be  very  humiliating  to 
be  kept  at  home:  and  I  need  humbling  so 
much  that  I  fear  this  will  be  my  appointed 
lot.  Well :  I  must  love  God's  glory  more 
than  all  things  beside.  And  if  he  should 
see  fit  to  deprive  me  of  the  sweet  pleasure 
of  making  known  the  love  of  Christ  to  souls 
perishing  in  ignorance,  I  must  humbly  sub- 
mit; and  rejoice  that  he  can  raise  up  instru- 
ments better  fitted  to  promote  his  name's 
glory.  Grant  it,  even  so  Lord  Jesus — that 
thy  will  may  be  done  in,  and  by  me.     Grant 


118  MEMOIR     OF 

that  I  may  be  willing  to  go  or  to  stay;  to 
live  or  to  die;  to  be  happy  or  wretched: 
only  let  thy  grace  be  sufficient  for  me;  and 
let  thy  name  be  glorified  in  the  conversion 
of  wretched  heathen  souls.     Amen. 

Those,  who  were  intimately  acquainted 
with  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  were  de- 
lighted with  her  peculiarly  pleasing  vivacity 
of  mind  and  manner.  H^er  lively  flow  of 
spirits  and  her  animated  conversation  evin- 
ced the  loveliness  and  cheerfulness  at  once  of 
her  disposition,  and  of  her  religion.  Indeed 
few  persons  could  be  in  her  company  with- 
out feeling  that  her  piety,  while  truly  spi- 
ritual in  its  tone,  was  at  the  same  time 
cheerful  and  beautiful  in  its  character;  reli- 
gion itself  was  loved  for  her  sake  in  whose 
conversation  and  spirit  its  influence  was  so 
happily  exemplified. 

Her  immediate  friends,  also,  love  to  re- 
collect, though  it  is  with  a  mournful  pleasure, 
her  deeply  afiectionate  disposition.  This 
was  best  appreciated  by  those  to  whom  she 
was  best  known,  and  their  knowledge  of 
those  springs  of  pure  and  warmly  afiectionate 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  119 

feeling,  with  which  her  nature  was  endowed, 
greatly  increase  their  estimate  of  the  sacri- 
fice which  she  made  in  deciding  on  mission- 
ary life.  It  is  not,  however,  our  object  to 
eulogize  her  virtues ;  we  wish  rather  that 
her  own  writings  should  illustrate  her  cha- 
racter. In  the  writings  and  letters  already 
submitted  to  the  reader  he  will  see,  no  doubt, 
much  to  interest  his  feelings;  other  lettei*s 
would  place  in  still  more  interesting  light 
the  traits,  to  which  we  have  just  adverted, 
as  well  as  lead  to  inferences  of  a  more  ge- 
neral nature,  but  their  insertion  is  precluided 
by  their  personal  references.  In  the  letters 
and  extracts  from  her  papers  which  are  yet 
to  be  made,  and  which  we  shall  sometimes 
introduce  without  particular  mention  of  dates 
or  places,  it  will  be  seen  how  "  thoughts 
that  breathe  and  words  that  burn,"  were 
under  the  control  of  divine  grace;  often  the 
sentiments  which  she  expresses  display  her 
intellectual  powers,  and  affectionate  dispo- 
sition, not  less  than  the  general  excellence 
of  her  religious  character. 

"  I  once  heard  Mr. ,  remark  that  '  it 

required  no  more  grace  for  a  man  to  leave 
10* 


120  MEMOIR     OF 

all  and  go  among  the  heathen,  than  to 
^enable  a  Christian  to  live  right  at  home.'  I 
was  surprised  at  the  assertion  and  disputed 
the  point  with  him.  But  I  have  lately- 
thought  perhaps  he  was  right.  We  may 
nerve  our  minds  to  make  almost  any  sacri- 
fice, and  sustained  by  philosophy  alone,  we 
may  endure  separation  from  our  dearest  en- 
joyments with  stoical  calmness;  but  to  live 
by  faith  from  day  to ,  day,  to  resist  every 
moment  the  desires  of  a  wicked  heart,  the 
fascinations  of  a  false  but  beautiful  world 
and  the  incessant  attacks  of  the  enemy  of 
souls,  requires  a  persevering  exercise  of 
patience  and  faith  that  God  alone  can  be- 
stow. But  his  promises  are  sufficient,  and 
though  '  cast  down  I  am  not  discour- 
aged.' " 

'^  I  do  not  feel  much  concern  about  pos- 
sessing w^orldly  wisdom,  though  I  have  no 
objections  to  it;  but  to  possess  that  sincere 
love  to  Christ  and  deep  acquaintance  with 
him  in  all  his  offices,  and  the  enlightening 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  are  necessary  to 
correct  reasoning  on  salvation  through  his 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.       121 

name,  is   what   I    want.     My   hope   is   in 
God's  word, — (James  i.  5,)  comforts  me." 


"  Are  you  ever  troubled  with  the  sin  of 
idle  words  ?  or  can  you  think  of  what  you 
please,  when  you  please  ?  Should  we  ever 
speak  without  having  some  object  in  view, 
either  to  communicate  or  to  obtain  instruc- 
tion ?  Can  Christians  ascertain  each  night 
if  they  have  grown  in  grace  through  the 
day  ?  Or  can  we  *  assure  our  hearts' 
before  God,  unless  we  can  perceive  that 
we  have  exercised  some  self-denial,  or 
have  done  something  for  Christ's  cause,  or 
for  the  comfort  of  our  fellow  creatures  ?  Is 
there  not  danger  sometimes  of  Christians 
reading  the  Bible  and  other  good  books 
with  a  view  merely  of  obtaining  intellectual 
enjoyment,  without  taking  them  as  the  food 
of  the  heart  ?  Is  such  reading  profitable  ? 
In  prayer,  should  we  only  pray  for  such 
things  as  we  feel  inclined  to  at  the  time,  or 
should  we  mention  all  such  things  as  our 
judgment  teaches  us  are  proper  to  be  prayed 
for  ?  Would  we  ever  feel  sorrow,  even  at 
the  disappointment  of  our  dearest  hopes,  if 


122  MEMOIR    OF 

our  own  affections  were  mortified — our  own 
will  lost  in  that  of  God  ?  May  we  hope  in 
this  life  to  have  our  own  wills  at  all  times 
lost  in  that  of  God  ?  If  we  think  of  any- 
thing more  than  we  do  of  God,  is  it  not 
proof  that  we  love  that  object  more  than 
God  ?  *  *  *  I  do  feel  oppressed  with  a 
sense  of  my  own  ignorance,  and  I  do  long 
for  that  time  when  we  shall  no  longer  see  in 
part  or  know  in  part,  but  when  "  we  shall 
know  even  as  we  are  known." 


"  At  night  I  went  to  hear  N ,  he 

preached  a  missionary  sermon  from  the  text 
'  Many  shall  run  to  and  fro,  and  knowledge 
shall  be  increased.'  I  thought  it  a  very 
good  sermon,  and  felt  my  faith  strengthened 
by  it.  One  thing  he  said  which  I  wish  to 
remember,  '  It  is  absurd  to  talk  of  difficul- 
ties when  we  acknowledge  the  omnipotence 
of  God.'  This  sermon  was  to  prepare  the 
people  for  the  anniversary  of  their  Mission- 
ary Society,  which  is  to  be  held  next  week. 
Would  it  not  be  well  for  ministers  always 
to  preach  a  missionary  sermon  on  the  Sun- 
day before  monthly  concert?  It  would 
arouse  and  prepare  the  people." 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.    LOWRIE.  123 

"  Once  after  retiring  to  rest,  in  order  to 
have  time  to  think,  I  tried  to  appear  to  sleep 
— and  was  just  meditating  a  little  on  "  The 
field  is  the  world,"  when  I  Was  aroused  with 
'  Are  not  the  bonnets  now  worn  very  ugly?' 
I  gave  a  hearty  assent,  and  relapsed  into  the 

appearance  of  sleep.     But  Mrs. was 

in  the  humour  for  talking,  and  she  presently 
mustered  such  an  array  of  bonnets,  caps, 
laces,  curls,  silks,  dresses,  &c.  before  the 
eyes  of  my  fancy,  that  when  she  ceased,  and 
I  again  attempted  to  resume  my  train  of 
thought,  the  scene  was  curiously  changed. 
The  mighty  field  of  the  world  seemed  still 
spread  out  before  me,  but  instead  of  present- 
ing to  the  eye  millions  of  inhabitants,  with 
immortal  souls  groping  in  darkness,  and  but 
here  and  there  a  spot  enlightened  by  Salva- 
tion's beams — all  appeared  covered  with 
creatures  without  souls,  being  formed  of  silks, 
gauzes,  &c.  having  life  and  motion,  but  hav- 
ing no  other  business  here  than  to  examine 
into  each  other's  texture,  beauty,  and  fashion 
— but  I  fear  you  will  be  as  little  edified  as  I 
was."  [Do  not  the  conduct  and  character  of 
no  small  part  of  the  living  world  around  us 


124  MEMOIR     OF 

correspond  too  accurately  with  the  lively 
sketch  presented  in  this  extract?  How  few 
there  are  whose  chief  end  is  to  glorify  God 
and  to  enjoy  him  forever  !] 

"  There  is  no  single  view  I  can  take  of  my- 
self that  can  give  me  satisfaction ;  yet  I  do 
find  satisfaction,  yes,  intense  happiness  in 
looking  to  Christ.  He  is  all  sufficient ;  all 
that  I  ask  is  that  I  may  live  still  looking  to 
him  and  trusting  in  him.  I  feel  the  need  of 
a  large  increase  of  faith.  I  have  been  led  to 
think  of  this,  particularly,  from  visiting  a 
very  aged  couple,  much  afflicted  and  very 
poor,  who  I  cannot  think  have  ever  truly 
embraced  Christ  as  their  Saviour.  They  ap- 
pear to  be  so  contented  with  the  state  of  their 
souls,  that  even  while  trying  to  open  their 
ieyes  to  their  true  condition,  I  cannot  feel 
much  hope  that  they  will  yet  be  enlightened. 
I  measure  the  power  of  the  Almighty  too 
much  by  my  own.  Certainly  the  usefulness 
of  missionaries,  as  well  as  of  all  Christians, 
depends  very  much  on  their  having  strong 
faith.  We  see  some  ministers  in  this  coun- 
try, who,  being  fond  of  study  themselves, 


MRS.   LOUISA    A.    LOWRIE.  125 

think  the  best  way  to  bring  souls  to  Christ 
is  by  a  course  of  intellectual  training  ;  this 
training  is  certainly  laudable,  but  they  are 
too  apt  to  think  the  mental  improvement 
must  be  accomplished  first,  and  perhaps  do 
not  expect,  and  consequently  do  not  pray 
with  faith  that  their  souls  may  now  be  saved. 
In  this  way  teachers  of  the  heathen  may 
err;  they  cannot  believe  that  the  light  of 
divine  truth  can  shine  into  minds  dwelling 
in  such  gross  ignorance  ;  they  begin  to 
teach,  but  have  no  expectation — except  for 
the  future,  after  they  shall  have  been  taught 
— that  their  souls  can  be  saved.  In  the 
mean  time  many  may  be  taken  away  from 
the  reach  of  Christian  effort  or  prayer. 
Man  plans,  conscientiously  no  doubt,  but 
will  not  expect  God's  work  to  prosper  until 
his  plans  are  accomplished.  I  may  be  wrong 
in  all  this,  I  have  formed  my  opinions  chiefly 
from  my  own  experience  with  regard  to 
Sunday  School  scholars." 


^'  Mr. ,  in  prayer  always  remembers 

the  Missionaries, — I  love  him  for  doing  so. 
*   ^  *  Yes,  the  time  will  soon  come  when 


126  MEMOIR  OF 

it  will  not  be  necessary  to  travel  about  from 
church  to  church  to  tell  Christians  that  there 
are  souls  whose  salvation  depends  on  their 
exertions,  that  they  ought  so  to  pray  and  so 
to  live  that  the  light  of  the  Gospel  might  be 
sent  throughout  the  world — oh  yes,  the  time 
must  come  when  every  man  that  reads  a 
Bible,  every  soul  that  feels  the  love  of 
Christ,  will  take  no  rest  while  there  is  one 
immortal  being  destitute  of  the  knowledge 
of  the  true  God.  We  have  every  thing  to 
hope,  nothing  to  fear ;  we  may  die,  or  may 
not  be  counted  worthy  to  go,  but  the  God 
of  Missions  lives, — it  is  his  cause,  and  he 
will  make  it  prosper.  Do  not  be  discourag- 
ed, *  *  *  though  Christians  are  few,  and 
these  few  fail  in  love,  yet  God  is  strong,  he 
loves  his  cause."  *  * 


"  While  in  Washington,  amidst  so  much 
gayety  and  splendour,  I  thought  even  more 
than  usual  of  the  probable  scenes  of  our  fu- 
ture life, — and  comparing  our  prospects  with 
those  of  others  around  me,  I  was  more  than 
ever  satisfied  with  my  choice.  Any  situa- 
tion that  will  necessarily  lead  us  constantly 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.    L  0  W  R  I  E.  127 

to  feel  our  dependance  on  God  and  drive  us 
nearer  to  him  is  the  one  I  would  choose. 
*  *  ^  I  felt  much  fear  in  going  to  W.  but 
while  there,  though  seldom  alone  and  with 
but  little  time  for  prayer,  yet  I  recollect  no 
time  when  I  have,  in  the  midst  of  company, 
been  able  to  hold  such  sweet  communion 
with  Jesus.  I  fear  I  indulged  too  much  in 
trifling  conversation,  yet  when  a  moment 
was  given  for  reflection,  my  soul  seemed  to 
spring  free  from  the  fetters  that  would  bind 
it  here,  and  held  converse  with  its  "highest 
love.'^ 


Referring  to  some  discouraging  circum- 
stances, in  one  of  her  letters  she  writes, 
"And  now  when  our  prospects  seem  to  be 
somewhat  darkened,  and  our  dearest  hopes 
of  usefulness  in  danger  of  being  cut  ofi",  I 
can  yet  trust  Him  ;  Jesus  speaks  to  us, 
"  Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled.^'  Our 
plans  may  fail,  the  Lord's  cannot; — his 
cause  will  prosper,  his  name  will  be  made 
known,  and  his  glory  fill  the  earth.  There 
is  too  much  selfishness  in  all  our  attempts  to 
do  God  service, — we  wish  to  do  it  in  our 
11 


128  MEMOIR     OF 

own  way,  and  too  often  when  he  points  out 
another  we  despond.  *  *  Let  us  have 
full  confidence  in  our  God — he  will  direct 
us.  We  ^'  owe  him  an  eternal  debt  of  grati- 
tude for  our  conversion,"  (if  we  are  con- 
verted,) and  in  the  humblest,  most  thorny 
path  that  leads  to  Heaven,  our  hearts  should 
be  filled  with  rejoicing,  and  our  mouths 
with  praise.  "  Be  ye  thankful"  is  the  com- 
mand under  all  circumstances — "  Peace"  is 
his  legacy  to  us,  it  is  our  privilege  to  enjoy 
it,  and,  blessed  be  his  name,  he  gives  me 
much  of  it.  *  *  *  It  may  evidently 
not  be  our  duty  to  go  as  the  Lord's  messen- 
gers to  the  heathen.  I  cannot  but  feel  re- 
gret— more  perhaps  on  my  own  account,  for 
if  we  are  set  aside,  I  believe  others  more 
worthy  will  be  sent, — but  as  soon  as  a  home 
in  this  beloved  land  is  presented,  *  *  * 
with  Christian  friends  around,  within  the 
sound  of  Sabbath-bells,  and  the  enjoyment 
of  Sabbath  privileges,  so  many  bright  scenes 
of  enjoyment  present  themselves,  that  I  fear 
my  heart  will  be  bound  to  earth.  I  think 
it  is  best  for  me  to  have  but  little  enjoyment 
in  this  world,  but  aiiy  thing  with  the  love 


MRS.    LOUISA     A.    LOWRIE.  129 

of  Christ  and  I  am  content  *  *  *  j 
know  not  whether  I  can  look  very  well  at 
the  *' bright  side'^  of  things.  I  believe  I 
look  too  much  at  myself,  and  seeing  no 
bright  side  there,  I  conclude  all  is  rather 
dark.  Oh  for  grace  to  look  always  to  Christ ! 
— he  is  the  bright  and  the  morning  star,  he 
is  the  light  of  our  life." 

"  The  last  night,  (of  a  journey  she  was 
making,)  was  so  bright  and  beautiful,  as  to 

arouse  in  Mr. all  the  romantic  feelings 

of  his  youth,  and  the  songs  that  then  de- 
lighted him  were  all  suno;  over.  *  *  * 
I  do  not  wonder  there  are  so  many  unhappy 
matches  in  this  world  of  ours,  for,  with  the 
excitement  of  music,  and  poetry,  and  moon- 
light, imagination  takes  the  reins,  bids 
'  good  by'  to  reason,  and  for  the  time  being 
this  world  appears  to  be  just  what  we  would 
have  it;  hope  clothes  the  future  with  even 
brighter  tints  than  the  present  scene, — there 
is  no  fear  of  disappointment  or  sorrow,  pru- 
dence is  forgotten,  and  passion  holds  undis- 
puted sway.  However,  I  have  not  felt  in 
this  way  for  a  long  time,  not  even  when 


130  M  E  M  0  I  R    O  F 

rolling  on  swiftly  in  the  stage,  listening  to 

Mr. 's  exciting  songs.     I  think  I  have 

had  too  many  lessons  ever  to  feel  so  again. 
I  feel  that  we  are  in  the  hands  of  a  gracious 
God,  and  he  may  see  that  it  is  best  for  us  to 
disappoint  our  dearest  hopes,  and  for  my- 
self I  try  to  live  daily  in  the  sacrifice  of  the 
dearest  objects  of  my  afiections  to  him.  My 
heart  often  seeks  rest  in  earthly  things — 
*  *  * — but  I  believe  a  higher  principle 
is  implanted,  and  I  cannot  find  rest  but  by 
trusting  simply  in  Him,  and  committing  my 
all  into  his  hands.  Leaving  home  was  the 
severest  trial  I  have  lately  had.  I  could  not 
divest  myself  of  the  thought  that  it  was  for- 
ever, and  I  could  find  no  pleasure,  *  *  * 
but  it  IS  all  over  now;  the  cords  that  bound 
me  are  untwisted,  my  heart  is  free,  I  have 
no  home  but  heaven.  I  do  not  think  it 
will  cost  me  so  much  feeling  when  I  take 
my  final  leave." 

'  Some  of  her  friends  were  at  first  unwil- 
ling that  she  should  embark  in  a  foreign 
mission;  not  only  because  they  were  reluc- 
tant to  part  with  so  beloved  a  relative,  but 
on  account  of  the  precarious  state  of  her 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.     I.  0  W  R  I  E.  131 

health.     This  will  explain  some  things  in 
a  few  of  the  following  letters. 

LETTER    TO    HER    SISTER-IN-LAW,    MRS.     M* 
W.,  OF  WHEELING. 

Alexandria,  D.  C,  Dec.  28M,  1832. 
Dear  Sister  M. 

After  travelling  two  days  and  nights, 
without  an  hour's  rest,  we  reached  Wash- 
ington city  ;  and  by  means  of  hack  and 
steam-boat  were  soon  transported  to  this 
place.  And  here  I  am  among  strangers, 
yet  feeling  quite  at  home:  for  I  am  with 
those  who  love  the  same  Father.  I  never 
feel  like  a  stranger  among  Christians; 
but  I  do  not  expect  to  be  always  thus , 
blessed.  Dear  M.,  you  know  from  the 
whole  tenor  of  my  life  that  I  love  you,  and 
would  not  willingly  give  you  pain.  On 
the  contrary,  I  would  do  any  thing,  consis- 
tent with  duty,  to  add  to  your  happiness. 
But  I  do  think,  from  present  convictions 
of  duty,  that  I  must  leave  you — bid  you 
farewell,  with  no  hope  of  seeing  you  until, 
with  all  our  beloved  friends,  who  have  gone 
before  us,  we  meet  around  the  throne  above. 
11* 


132  MEMOIR    OF 

Providence  may  yet  shut  up  the  way  ;  and, 
on  account  of  my  unfitness  for  the  work,  I 
may  be  laid  aside.  But  if  the  Lord  shalh 
regard  my  desires,  and  accept  of  my  weak 
services,  it  is  my  fixed  intention  to  spend 
my  life  among  the  heathen.  Perhaps  you 
may  all  blame  me,  dear  sister  ;  perhaps  you 
may  think  that  I^  am  wanting  in  affection, 
or  imagine  that  I  have  not  counted  the  cost. 
But  I  have  looked  at  it  in  every  possible 
light.  I  have  endeavoured  to  examine  my- 
self ;  and  unless  I  am  greatly  deceived,  the 
sole  motive  that  influences  my  determina- 
tion is  a  desire  to  serve  and  glorify  God. 
What  I  may  have  to  suffer,  I  cannot  even 
imagine  ;  but  I  can  confide  in  the  promises 
of  God.  I  know  he  will  not  forsake  us; 
and  while  under  his  care,  what  can  harm 
us  ?  Parting  with  all  of  you  appears,  at  pre- 
sent, the  severest  trial  I  shall  undergo;  and 
believe  me,  dear  M.,  it  will  be  as  painful  to 
me  as  it  can  possibly  be  to  any  of  you.  But 
will  you  not  cheerfully  give  me  up  to  the 
Lord,  and  pray  that  I  may  be  strengthened 
for  the  work,  and  made  a  blessing  to  others  ? 
If  the  Lord  spare  us,  and  our  present  pros- 


MRS.    LOUISA     A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  133 

pects  are  realized,  we  expect  to  sail  in  May 
next.  If  so,  I  hope  to  be  with  you  in 
March.  I  fear  brother  W.  will  be  dis- 
pleased, and  feel  disposed  to  censure  me. 
But  I  hope  he  will  be  convinced  that  I  am 
doing  right.  If  I  were  going  to  the  East 
to  receive  a  fortune,  would  he  not  give  his 
consent?  And  why  not  in  the  present 
instance,  if  I  am  to  receive  an  everlasting 
treasure  after  death  ?  I  wish  he  would  con- 
sider this. 

Farewell  dear  sister  j  ever  yours  in  love. 

Louisa. 

P.  S,  Some  part  of  India  will  probably 
be  the  field  of  labour. 

LETTER  TO  A  LADY  IN  WHEELING. 

Alexandria,  D.  C,  Jan.  5th,  1833. 
Many  engagements,  my  dear  madam,  have 
prevented  my  writing  until  my  date  is  1S33. 
There  is  something  solemn  in  the  commence- 
ment of  a  year.  At  that  period  the  question 
often  occurs.  What  will  be  my  lot  this  year  ? 
Shall  1  live  nearer  to  my  God  ?  Or  shall  I 
bring  reproach  on  his  dear  cause  ?     To  me 


134  MEMOIROF 

this  is  a  peculiarly  interesting  period,  for  it  is 
most  |)robable  that  in  the  providence  of  God 
this  year  may  witness  important  changes 
in  my  life.  I  believe  you  are  my  friend, 
and  I  know  that  you  take  a  deep  interest  in 
the  holy  cause  of  missions,  and  I  believe  it 
but  proper  to  tell  you  that  it  is  my  heart's 
desire  to  devote  myself  to  this  cause ;  and  it 
is  my  determination,  if  the  Lord  still  make 
the  way  plain,  I  will  go — yes !  it  is  the 
language  of  my  heart, 

.     //In  the  deserts  let  me  labour,        \ 
.  /       On  the  mountains  let  me  tell, 
;  1   How  he  died — the  blessed  Saviour-^ 
^-  To  redeem  a  world  from  helL,. 

I  thank  you  for  all  the  encouragement 
you  have  given  me,  and  still  more  for  your 
prayers.  Will  you  pray  less  fervently  for 
me,  now  that  you  know  my  determination  ? 

It  is  our  present  expectation  that  the  West- 
ern.  Foreign  Missionary  Society  will  send 
out  a  mission  in  the  spring,  in  April  or  May. 
The  time  appears  short — so  soon  to  leave 
you  all !  But  blessed  privilege,  so  soon  to 
be  engaged  in  this  labour  of  love !     I  feel 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.     LOWRIE.  135 

a  strange  mingling  of  emotions,  but  joy  still 
prevails;  for  I  do  wish  to  be  more  useful 
than  I  am  here.  To-morrow  the  sacrament 
of  the  supper  is  to  be  celebrated  in  the  church 
here.  It  seems  to  be  a  very  proper  work 
at  the  commencement  of  a  year  to  renew 
the  sacramental  covenant  and  make  a  fresh 
dedication  of  all  to  God.  Oh  for  nearer 
views  of  my  Saviour — more  ardent  zeal, 
purer  motives,  and  more  simple  dependance 
on  Christ! 

The  prayers  especially  of  Christians  are 
needed  for  the  success  of  Missions.  Money 
may  be  given,  missionaries  may  be  sent,  and 
much  labour  employed,  but  without  the  Holy 
Spirit's  influence,  not  one  darkened  soul  will 
be  brought  into  light  and  life.  Oh !  how 
few  Christians  pray  as  they  should  for  the 
heathen.  Some  appear  to  think  that  once 
in  a  month  is  sufficient,  and  others  scarcely 
pray  for  them  as  often  as  that.  When  will 
the  world  be  converted  at  this  rate  ?  I  would 
say  to  yoii,  to  all.  If  you  love  the  cause  of 
Christ,  if  you  wish  to  promote  his  glory, 

PRAY,  PRAY,  PRAY. 

My  health  is  now  perfectly  good,  and  I 


136  MEMOIR     OF 

am  Stronger  than  I  have  been  for  some  years. 
I  hope  the  Lord  is  giving  me  strength  as  a 
part  of  my  preparation  for  his  work.  I  only 
wish  for  strength  to  be  spent  in  his  service. 
I  depend  on  your  keeping  the  contents  of 
this  letter  entirely  secret.  I  have  written  to 
M.  of  my  expectations,  but  do  not  wish 
them  to  be  generally  known. 

Good  bye,  dear  friend,  may  peace  be  with 
you. 

Louisa  A.  Wilson. 


JOURNAL,  1833. 

January  Qth,  Jilexandria^  D.  C. — This 
day  enjoyed  the  blessed  privilege  of  sitting 
down  at  the  table  of  the  Lord.  It  has  been 
to  me  a  feast  of  gladness.  This  has  not  often 
been  the  case.  When  I  see  how  I  have  dis- 
honoured Him  who  has  done  and  suffered 
so  much  for  me,  sorrov/  fills  my  heart.  At 
such  seasons  I  have  usually  had  convictions 
of  some  particular  besetting  sin.  To-day  I 
have  not  had  more  than  a  general  view  of 
defilement  in  every  thing. 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.     LOWRIE.  137 


LETTER  TO  HER  SISTER-IN-LAW,  MRS.  M.  W., 
OF  WHEELING. 
Alexandria,  D.  C,  Jan.  15th,  1833. 

Dearest  Sister  M. 

As  much  as  the  prospect  of  bidding  you 
farewell  for  life  may  affect  you,  I  assure  you 
that  you  do  not  feel  it  more  sensibly  than  I 
do ;  for  my  heart  clings  to  you,  and  to  your 
dear  children.  You  have  been  more  than  a 
sister — you  have  been  a  mother  to  me.  Those 
kindnesses  which  are  lightly  valued  by  those 
who  have  parents,  are  deeply  felt  and  long 
remembered  by  the  orphan  heart.  Dear  M., 
I  do  not  forget  your  kindness.  It  has  won 
my  love.  And  much  happiness  could  I  find, 
through  life,  with  no  other  employment  than 
that  of  promoting  yours,  and  the  best  inter- 
ests of  your  children.  But  you,  M.,  dear 
as  you  are  to  me,  have  not  so  strong  a  claim 
upon  me  as  my  Saviour.  You  have  contri- 
buted to' my  happiness  in  this  life;  He  has 
purchased  for  me  eternal  life,  i/g^laims 
all  mj  heart,  all  my  services ;  and  where 
his  providence  calls  me  to  labour,  there  I 
must  go. 


138  MEMOIR      OF 

'Tis  true  you  need  the  cherishing  kind- 
ness of  friends ;  for  you  have  suffered  severe 
affliction,  and  feel  a  loneliness  of  heart, 
which  leads  you  to  solace  yourself  in  the 
affections  of  those  who  sympathize  with 
you.  But  still  M.,  you  have  parents,  chil- 
dren, home,  Christian  friends,  Christian  pri- 
vileges, the  Bible,  and  a  God  of  love,  who 
is  ever  ready  to  hear  your  cry — ever  ready 
to  say  to  the  tempest-tost  soul,  "  Peace,  be 
still."  Think  you,  dear  M.,  are  there  no 
widows,  no  orphans  in  heathen  lands  ?  Ah 
yes  !  and  theirs  are,  indeed,  days  of  gloom. 
The  heathen  wife  is  not  much  respected; 
the  widow  still  less.  Her  means  of  support 
are  gone ;  friends  prove  unkind,  and  often 
her  only  alternative  is  to  submit  to  volun- 
tary degradation,  in  order  to  gain  a  pittance 
to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  hunger.  There 
no  Christian  charity  lends  its  aid ;  no  Chris- 
tian's Bible  is  there  to  instruct.  Slaves  to 
the  most  abject  vices,  hateful  themselves 
and  hating  one  another,  they  long  for,  and 
yet  fear  death.  Oh  !  the  daughters  of  Zion 
do  not  prize  as  they  should  the  rich  bles- 
sings   they     enjoy.     They  do    not    think 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     LOWRIE.  139 

enough  of  the  condition  of  those  who  are 
destitute  of  the  gospel,  and  who  seek  rest 
and  find  none.  Their  systems  of  religion 
cannot  comfort  the  afflicted  soul.  They 
have  nothing  to  raise  them  above  the  trou- 
bles of  this  life;  and  what  is  still  worse, 
they  have  no  light  to  guide  them  to  heaven. 
Dear  M.,  will  you  not  gladly  spare  me,  if  I 
may  but  be  instrumental  in  leading  a  few  of 
these  benighted  souls  to  the  Fountain  of 
bliss?  Can  you  consistently  pray  for  their 
salvation,  if  you  are  not  willing,  for  their 
sakes,  to  forego  the  little  gratification  of  my 
society  .'*  Assuredly,  it  is  the  duty  of  some', 
(persons  to  be  missionaries :  and  who  can  be  ^ 
^found  to  engage  in  this  work  who  will  not' 
ihave  some  sacrifices  to  make?  A  lady 
'once  told  me,  she  thought  it  would  be  easy 
for  me  to  go,  as  I  had  no  parents  living; 
yet  it  still  seems  hard.  But  many  have 
gone  and  left  parents  behind.  Yes !  parents 
have  blessed  their  children  and  encouraged 
them  to  go.  This  is  the  true  spirit  of  the 
gospel.  It  is  forgetting  self  in  love  for 
Christ.  Oh,  M.  if  I  could  have  your  entire 
approbation,  and  the  hearty  concurrence  of 
12 


140  MEMOIROF 

all  my  friends,  I  should  be  too  happy !  Do 
pray  for  more  of  a  missionary  spirit,  and 
you  will  then  rejoice,  you  will  praise  the 
Lord  that  I  am  counted  worthy  to  suffer  in 
so  good  a  cause.  And  now,  with  all  my 
anxiety  to  be  engaged  in  this  work,  I  fear  I 
may  be  prevented.  Mr.  Lowrie's  health  is 
not  perfectly  good ;  and  if  it  should  fail  se- 
riously we  shall  settle  down  at  home.  By 
this  we  shall  ascertain  the  Lord's  will  re- 
specting it;  if  Mr.  L.'s  health  should  be 
good  and  all  things  prosper  according  to  ex- 
pectation, we  expect  to  leave  during  next 
spring.  But  if  not  we  shall  conclude  that 
the  Lord  has  selected  more  worthy  labour- 
ers for  the  foreign  field,  and  we  shall  seek  to 
glorify  him  in  some  other  way. 

As  to  W.,  his  letter  gave  me  much  pain ; 
and  I  do  not  know  how  to  overcome  his  ob- 
jections.    I  cannot  reason  with  him,  because 
he  does  not  understand  my  principle  of  ac- 
tion.    But  if  he  loves  me,  as  I  trust  he  does, 
j^and  as  I  hope  he  ever  will,  would  it  not  be 
1  kindness  in  him  to  permit  me  to  seek  my 
(happiness   in   that   way   which   I   think  is 
Wight?     I  do  not  think  I  have  been  guilty  of, 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.    LGWRIE.  141 

a  want  of  deliberation.  I  have  tried  to 
view  the  subject  in  every  possible  light.  If, 
by  remaining  in  this  country,  I  could  have 
any  assurance  of  longer  life,  or  of  greater 
usefulness,  perhaps  I  might  be  induced  to 
stay.  But  W.  has  had  frequent,  recent,  and 
melancholy  proofs,  that  even  here  our  dear- 
est friends  must  die ;  and  that  many  who 
live  are  wretched.  And  wretched,  I  know, 
I  should  be  if  the  path  of  duty  were  made 
plain  to  me,  and  I  refused  to  walk  in  it. 
'Tis  true,  in  this  country,  I  might  find  a 
field  of  usefulness.  And'  I  hope,  if  Provi- 
dence shut  up  the  way  to  more  destitute 
places,  that  I  shall  be  heartily  engaged  in 
doing  good  here.  But  among  the  heathen 
I  have  a  prospect  of  doing  a  greater  amount 
of  good.  Their  claims  are  the  strongest. 
Here,  all  enjoy  the  light  of  the  gospel,  all 
have  the  Bible  ;  and  if  any  are  unenlightened 
it  is  their  own  fault. 

W.  thinks  I  "  must  be  changed."  I  do 
not  know  that  I  am,  except  that  I  am  not 
quite  so  cheerful  as  formerly ;  but  I  would 
be  so  if  W.,  and  all  of  you,  would  cheerfully 


142  MEMOIR     OF 

say,  '*  Louisa,  do  just  what  you  think  rights 
and  may  God  bless  you." 

Yours  affectionately, 

Louisa. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  TO  MISS  C.  B.  OP 
MORGANTOWN. 

Alexandria,  D.  C,  Feb.  13th,  1833. 

For  two  weeks,  I  have  been  afflicted 
with  a  severe  cold.  My  cough  is  also  bad. 
But  while  life  appears  so  uncertain,  I  have 
great  peace  and  joy  in  my  soul.  I  feel  that 
it  would  be  "far  better  to  depart  and  be 
with  Christ,"'  than  to  walk  in  the  most 
flowery  paths  of  life,  because  there  we  shall 
"  never,  never  sin.'' 

Yesterday  was  one  year  since  my  dear 
brother  Alpheus  found  a  watery  grave.  *  I 
feared  the  approach  of  the  day,  lest  I  should 
be  oppressed  with  melancholy  fealings.  But 
I  was  led  to  reflect  on  the  mercy  of  God  in 


*  Alpheus  P.  Wilson,  Esq.,  of  Morgantown,  was 
drowned  in  the  Monongahela  river,  at  Brownsville., 
Pennsylvania,  February  i2th,  1832. 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    LOWRIE.  143 

overruling  all  for  good,  as  he  has  evidently- 
done;  and  his  kindness  in   placing  me  in 
circumstances  of  such  entire  happiness,  com- 
pared with  my  situation  last  year. 
Ever  your  friend, 

Louisa  A.  Wilson. 

EXTRACT  OP  A  LETTER  TO  HER  BROTHER, 
MR.  G.  W.   W.,  OF  WHEELING. 

Alexandria,  D.  C,  March  ^d,  1833. 
To  make  known  to  the  heathen  the  way 
of  salvation,  is  a  duty  plainly  inculcated 
in  the  Scriptures — a  duty  to  which  the 
regenerate  heart  cannot  fail  to  respond.  But 
this  cannot  be  accomplished  without  making 
some  sacrifices.  Friends  must  be  left  be- 
hind. And  why  should  not  I,  highly  fa- 
voured of  the  Lord  as  I  have  ever  been; 
why  should  not  I,  as  a  tribute  of  gratitude, 
be  willing  to  make  these  sacrifices  ?  Few, 
indeed,  have  as  many  kind  friends  to  leave: 
few  have  found  so  much  enjoyment  in  the 
society  of  kindred  hearts:  but  dearly  as  I 
love  you  all;  much  as  it  adds  to  my  happi- 
ness to  be  with  you;  still,  still  I  love  my 
Saviour  more.  And  though  far  from  you, 
12* 


144  MEMOIR    OF 

in  heathen  lands,  if  blessed  with  his  presence 
and  love,  I  shall  be  happy.  Do  not,  dear 
brother,  take  so  gloomy  a  view  of  the  subject. 
Remember  that  when  the  heart  is  at  ease, 
then,  and  only  then,  all  is  well.  But  if  I 
should  be  forced  to  remain  in  this  country, 
do  you  think  I  should  be  happy  ?  No!  no! 
If  you  love  me,  then,  if  you  still  desire  to 
promote  the  happiness  of  one  whom  you 
have  ever  kindl)^  cherished^  only  give  your 
full  consent  to  my  wishes,  and  from  my 
heart  I  will  thank  you. 

Mr.  Lowrie  is  now  in  town.  Under  all 
circumstances,  we  deem  it  most  expedient 
to  be  married  here.  His  father  and  N.  both 
approve  of  this  arrangement;  and  next  Tues- 
day morning  is  the  time  fixed  upon  for  the 
performance  of  the  ceremony. 

I  have  been  very  unwell  with  a  protracted 
cold  and  cough — am  now  better,  though  still 
coughing  a  good  deal.  I  hope  travelling 
may  cure  me.  I  hope  to  see  you  soon:  till 
then,  good  bye,  dear  brother,  and  believe  me 
Your  affectionate  sister, 

Louisa. 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  145 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  TO  A  FRIEND. 

[Date  not  given.] 

In  our  trip  we  met  with  but  one  incident: 
in  ascending  a  high  mountain,  the  horses 
proved  refractory,  and  refused  to  pull.  Some 
of  the  passengers  led,  while  others  whipped 
the  horses.  Mr.  *,  and  I  w^alked  on  about 
two  miles,  beguiling  the  darkness  and  rough- 
ness of  the  way  with  conversation.  I  thought 
of  the  journeyings  in  which  we  might  be 
engaged  in  foreign  lands,  amidst  darkness 
and  peril,  with  no  kind  friends  to  await  our 
arrival,  and  bid  us  kindly  welcome.  But 
why  did  I  think  so?  Is  not  the  Lord  Jesus 
himself;  with  many  of  our  beloved  friends, 
waiting  to  welcome  us  to  the  mansions  of 
rest,  when  the  toilsome  journey  of  life  is 
over  ?  We  shall  also  have  a  guide  even 
unto  death,  to  whom  "the  darkness  and  the 
light  are  both  alike.'^  Then  let  us  never  fear. 
It  is  not  in  the  power  of  earthly  changes  to 
make  us  long  unhappy.  Though  deprived 
of  the  comforts  which  now  surround  us; 
though  cut  oflf  from  the  joys  of  Christian 
society,  with  our  eyes  fixed  on  the  cross,  we 


146  MEMOIR     OF 

will  not  shrink;  with  the  star  of  Bethlehem 
for  our  guide  we  shall  steer  safely  amidst 
life's  most  dreary  tempests.  I  cannot  form 
any  correct  conception  of  the  sufferings  we 
may  have  to  endure;  but  I  know  that  the 
grace  of  God  is  sufficient  for  us:  and  the 
severest  trials  can  do  no  more  than  hasten 
death,  and  death  has  lost  its  terrors.  Then 
let  us  trust  in  the  Lord,  and  serve  him  with 
all  our  hearts,  and  we  shall  be  happy  in  any 
circumstances.  I  am,  this  morning,  looking 
at  all  the  difficulties  of  life  through  the  prism 
of  faith.  The  love  of  Jesus  tinges  the 
darkest  clouds  with  rainbow  radiance.  It 
is  a  consolation  that  we  can  but  die;  and, 
through  Christ,  there  is  victory  in  death,  and 
after  death  there  is  glory. 

Louisa. 

extract  of  a  letter  to  miss  j.  i.  p.,  op 
morgantown. 

Wheeling,  March  ISth,  1833. 

Dear  J. 

You  were  not,  perhaps,  surprised  to  hear 
of  my  marriage  to  Mr.  Lowrie.  I  think 
the  Lord  has  thus  far  directed  my  steps. 


MRS.   LOUISA     A.     LOWRIE.  147 

And  now  there  is  a  prospect  of  having  the 
most  dearly  cherished  desires  of  my  heart 
fulfilled.  Oh !  I  do  praise  the  Lord  for  the 
prospect  of  making  known  to  the  heathen 
the  glad  news  of  salvation.  It  is  his  w^ork; 
and  he  will  reward  all  who  engage  in  it  with 
the  richest  spiritual  blessings.  Come  life  or 
death  !  any  thing  that  the  Lord  appoints 
will  be  sweet.  I  am  anxious  to  be  gone: 
not  that  my  affection  for  my  home,  my 
country,  or  my  dear  friends  has  diminished. 
No,  they  seem  to  entwine  themselves  around 
my  heart  more  strongly  than  ever.  But  I 
feel  a  strange  willingness  to  leave  them  all. 
"The  love  of  Christ  constrains  me;'^  for  if 
he  died  for  us,  ought  we  not  to  suffer  any 
thing  for  his  glory;  any  thing  to  save  our 
perishing  fellow-men?  Oh!  J.,  will  you 
not  pray  more  than  ever  for  the  success  of 
missions?  Do  pray  for  me.  You  know  my 
unfitness  for  the  work:  but  the  Lord  can 
do  all  things;  only  make  for  me  large  re- 
quests. 

I  intend  going  to  Steubenville  to-day,  but 
shall  not  remain  long.     I  expect  J.  to  return 


148  MEMOIR     OF 

with  me.     Write  soon  and  direct  to  Wheel- 
ing.    Farewell,  dear  J. 

Your  ever  affectionate 

Louisa. 

JOURNAL,    1833. 

April  25th,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. — I  have 
bidden  farewell  to  home,  and  most  of  my 
dear  friends  with  no  prospect  of  ever  seeing 
them  again  in  the  present  world.  The  Lord 
has  helped  me.  I  have  felt  an  unusual  de- 
gree of  cheerfulness.  And  though  tears 
will  sometimes  flow  at  the  thought  of  never 
again  seeing  those  persons  and  places  that 
have  long  been  dear  to  me,  yet  I  thank  the 
Lord  that  I  feel,  in  a  great  measure,  loosened 
from  earth. 

How  important  is  the  step  I  have  taken  ! 
May  the  Lord  enable  me  to  accomplish 
that  which  is  in  my  heart.  May  I  always 
realize  the  responsibility  under  which  I  act ! 
I  feel  that  the  privilege  of  the  station  I  oc- 
cupy is  great ;  and  "  my  soul  does  magnify 
the  Lord,  that  he  hath  regarded  the  low 
estate  of  his  handmaiden.     For  he  that  is 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.     LOWRIE.  149 

mighty  hath  done  to  me  great  things  "* 
]VIany  prayers  are  now  offered  up  for  me. 
Oh  Lord  !  grant  me  grace  according  to 
every  moment's  need,  to  enable  me  to 
cease  from  self,  and  glorify  thee.  Amen. 
Amen. 

LETTER    TO    HER    SISTER-IN-LAW,    MRS.    M. 
A.     W.,     OF     MORGANTOWN. 

Pittsburgh,  April  21th,  1833. 

Dear  Sister  M.  A. 

I  snatch  a  few  moments  to  commune 
with  you  in  the  only  way  which  now  re- 
mains to  us.  I  have  cause  for  gratitude  in 
the  cheerfulness  of  heart  which  the  Lord  in 
mercy  bestows  on  me.  I  had,  from  the 
first,  dreaded  leaving  Morgantown  more 
than  any  thing  I  could  think  of;  but  grace 
was  sufficient  for  me.  At  night,  on  review- 
ing my  feelings  through  the  day,  I  was  con- 
vinced that  it  had  been  one  of  the  happiest 
days  of  my  life.  I  felt  in  reality  as  a  stran- 
ger and  a  pilgrim  on  the  earth,  on  my  way 
to  a  happy  home  in  the  heavens. 

*  Luke  i.  46-49. 


150  MEMOIR    or 

In  New  Geneva  we  bade  farewell  to  *  * 
*,  to  *  *,  and  your  uncle  *  *  *  ^^  and  also 
to  your  brother  J. ;  in  Smithfield,  to  Miss 
E.  C.  ;  in  Uniontown,  to  many  friends : 
and  here  the  hour  of  farewell  will  soon 
come.  Be  it  so  :  and  blessed  be  our  God 
that  he  permits  us  to  do  all  this  in  the  hope 
of  advancing  his  cause  among  the  heathen. 

Mr.  Lowrie  and  myself  are  quite  well  at 
pij-esent;  and  have  become  so  much  accus- 
tomed to  travelling  that  we  scarcely  feel  the 
fatigue.  As  the  time  for  our  departure  ap- 
proaches I  know  not  how  to  leave  without 
seeing  W.  Dear  Brother,  he  knows  not 
how  much  I  feel. 

I  fear  I  shall  not  see  the  Misses  E.  and 
S.  0,  We  have  sent  out  for  Mr.  L.'s  sis- 
ters, as  we  have  not  time  to  visit  Brad- 
dock's  Field.  I  regard  it  as  a  great  privi- 
lege to  have  the  prayers  of  so  many  Chris- 
tians. I  feel  strengthened  by  them.  I 
trust  our  friends  will  not  cease  to  pray  for 
us  while  breath  remains.  Remember  me 
most  affectionately  to  them  all;  I  cannot 
specify  individuals.  Farewell. 
Your  loving  sister, 

Louisa  A.  Lowrie. 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  151 


LETTER  TO  MISS  J.  I.  P.  OF  MORGANTOWN. 
JBaltimore,  May  3d,  1833, 

My  Dear  J. 

I  am  almost  too  much  fatigued  to  write ; 
but  think  it  best  to  inform  our  friends  in 
Morgantown  of  our  safe  arrival  here.  You 
have,  perhaps,  heard  from  M.  A.,  that  we 
reached  Pittsburgh  on  Thursday  evening, 
April  25th.  While  in  that  city  we  found 
little  time  for  rest,  being  almost  constantly 
with  company.  Christian  friends  there  were 
exceedingly  kind  and  affectionate  ;  and  I  re- 
gretted that  we  could  spend  no  more  time 
with  them. 

On  Sabbath  morning  Mr.  L.  preached  in 
Dr.  Herron's  church  ;  in  the  afternoon  in 
Mr.  Swift's  ;  and  at  night  in  Mr.  J.  Hal- 
sey's  in  Alleghenytown.  The  sermon  at 
night  was  on  the  subject  of  missions,  and 
was  immediately  followed  by  an  address 
from  Mr.  Halsey.  I  wish  you  could  have 
heard  him.  The  church  was  crowded,  but 
I  could  have  wished  that  the  world  had 
been  there.  His  looks,  his  gestures,  his  lan- 
guage, were  all  eloquent;  and  there  was 
13 


152  MEMOIROF 

evidence  of  a  deep  feeling  pervading  all  he 
said,  which  I  thought  must  reach  every 
heart.  He  spoke  in  strong  terms  of  the 
slothful,  the  contracted,  the  selfish  spirit 
that  prevailed  among  Christians.  He  said, 
"  That  from  the  first  it  was  so.  The  apos- 
tles and  first  followers  of  our  Lord  saw  no 
more  than  the  wants  of  their  brethren  in 
Judea.  They  lingered  about  her  borders, 
and  would  not  '  Go  into  all  the  loorld^ 
until  Paul  was  ^  born  as  one  out  of  due 
time.'  He  seized  the  gospel  torch  and 
waved  it  through  the  world  :  and  then  per- 
secution arose,  and  drove  them  all  abroad." 
Again:  he  inquired,  "Brethren,  are  foreign 
missions  a  new  thing?  Who  was  the  first 
foreign  missionary  ?  The  Lord  Jehovah, 
whom  we  call  Christ.  He  left  the  glories 
of  heaven,  and  touched  upon  our  earth  as  a 
missionary.  Why,  Brethren,  I  look  upon 
myself  as  a  converted  heathen  !  Whom  did 
our  forefathers  worship  ?  and  whom,  if  it 
had  not  been  for  the  first  foreign  Mission- 
ary, would  we  have  worshipped  ?  Ask  the 
days  of  the  week.  On  Sunday,  the  sun ; 
on  Monday,  the  moon,  and  so  on  through 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  153 

the  week.*  Why,  brethren,  the  very  ele' 
ments  pf  heathenism  cleave  about  us,  and 
shall  we  be  forgetful  of  others  ?"  I  cannot 
give  more  of  his  address,  but  I  thought  it 
sufficient  to  arouse  every  heart.  After  meet- 
ing we  walked  to  the  Theological  Seminary, 
and  staid  at  Professor  Halsey^s.  I  felt  it  a 
gljeat  privilege,  indeed,  to  become  acquainted 
with  both  the  Mrs.  H.'s.  We  sat  up  late, 
unwilling  to  take  time  for  sleep ;  and  rose 
early  on  Monday  morning,  as  a  farewell 
meeting  with  the  students,  had  been  ap- 
pointed before  breakfast.  As  the  meeting 
had  not  been  published,  I  did  not  expect  to 
see  any  but  the  inmates  of  the  Seminary ; 
but  there  was  quite  a  large  assemblage  from 
Alleghenytown.  When  we  entered  the  hall 
they  were  singing, "  How  firm  a  foundation," 
&c.     Oh,  it  was  sweet  and  comforting !     I 


*  Tuesday  was  named  from  Tuisco,  the  most 
ancient  idol  of  the  Germans  and  Saxons;  Wednes- 
day, from  Woden,  the  Mars  of  the  Saxons;  Thurs- 
day, from  Thor,  an  ancient  idol  of  the  same  people; 
Friday  from  Friga,  the  Sayon  Venus;  and  Satur- 
day from  Saturn. — [compiler.] 


154  MEMOIR     OF 

heard  three  fervent  prayers  offered  for  us, 
and  for  the  Redeemer's  cause  ;  and  three 
hymns  were  sung.  But  I  could  no  longer 
endure  the  effects  of  the  fatigue  of  the  pre- 
ceding day.  The  want  of  rest,  and  the  close 
air  of  the  room  overcame  me.  I  went  out 
into  the  hall  and  while  there  fainted.  I  thus 
lost  the  farewell  remarks  of  Professor  HaJ- 
sey  which  were  said  to  be  excellent.  As 
soon  as  I  had  fully  recovered  I  returned,  and 
bade  farewell  to  many  brethren  and  sisters 
in  Christ.  After  breakfast  we  went  over  to 
the  city,  and  spent  the  day  in  company  ;  so 
that  there  was  scarcely  time  left  for  compos- 
ing one's  mind  or  even  for  prayer. 

There  was  a  farewell  meeting  held  at 
night  in  Dr.  Herron's  church,  which  was 
well  filled.  Mr.  L.  and  Mr.  J.  Halsey 
again  delivered  addresses  :  and  some  beauti- 
ful hymns  were  sung.  Last  of  all.  Mr.  L. 
read  the  one  commencing  "  Yes  ;  my  native 
land,  I  love  thee.''  Copies  had  been  pre- 
viously distributed  to  the  congregation  ;  and 
it  was  sung  in  a  most  affecting  manner.  I 
could  not  forbear  shedding  tears  of  mingled 
sorrow  and  joy.     Dr.  Herron  made  a  short 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.        155 

farewell  address  to  Mr.  Lowrie,  and  then 
we  shook  hands  with  more  persons  than  I 
can  now  number.  It  was  almost  too  much 
for  flesh  and  heart  to  endure.  After  we 
passed  into  the  street,!  perceived  Mr.  Lowrie 
and  Mr.  A.  B.  hanging  on  each  other's  neck 
and  weeping  profusely.  I  thought  surely 
this  is  hitter.  But  the  parting  with  Mr. 
L.'s  brothers  and  sisters  was  the  hardest  of 
all.  Oh  may  the  Lord  overrule  all  for  good! 
At  four,  on  Tuesday  morning,  we  left  Pitts- 
burgh. The  scenes  of  the  last  few  days 
were,  altogether,  too  much  for  Mr.  L. ;  and 
besides  the  heat  of  the  weather  was  oppres- 
sive. He  was  quite  ill  all  the  way,  and  is 
now  unable  to  proceed  to  the  Newcastle 
Presbytery. 

And  now,  dear  J.,  I  have  filled  my  sheet 
with  the  particulars  of  our  journey  and  have 
scarcely  room  to  say  how  much  I  love  you 
all.  I  am  greatly  comforted  with  the  assu- 
rance that  we  shall  be  remembered  in  your 
prayers.  Will  you  pray  that,  if  it  is  con- 
sistent with  the  Lord's  will,  we  may  have 
good  health?  May  the  Saviour  be  with  you 
all.  Louisa  A.   Lowrie. 

13* 


156  MEMOIR    OF 

EXTRACT    OP    A    LETTER    TO    A    LADY    IN 
WHEELING. 

Baltimore,  May  6th  1833. 

Dear  Mrs.  *  *  *  * 

On  this  day  last  year  I  was  in  the  midst 
of  friends,  enjoying  the  prospect  of  ending 
my  days  with  them  ;  but  I  did  not  then  feel 
as  calm  and  as  happy  as  I  do  now.  This 
day  is  the  anniversary  of  our  dear  Emily's 
death.*  I  think  her  death  did  much  toward 
convincing  me  of  the  folly  of  remaining  at 
home  with  a  view  to  enjoy  ease,  happiness, 
or  long  life.  She,  in  the  midst  of  every 
temporal  comfort  and  surrounded  by  friends 
who  were  ready  to  die  for  her,  suffered  the 
most  intense  agony,  and  went  down  to  the 
grave  in  the  bloom  of  youth. 

"Why  fly  from  ill,  with  anxious  skill, 
When  soon  this  hand  shall  freeze, 
This  quivering  lip  be  still." 

I  suppose  it  to  be  only  in  the  path  of  duty 
that  we  may  feel  safe  and  enjoy  an  unshaken 

*  A  cousin  of  Mrs.  Lowrie. 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.     L  O  W  R  I  E.  157 

confidence  that  God  will  overrule  all  for 
good,  even  though  the  present  may  be 
shrouded  in  darkness.  I  think  I  am  in  the 
path  of  duty,  and  it  is  this  confidence  in  God 
that  supports  me  now.  My  home  is  far 
away — my  friends  are  left  behind ;  but  the 
Lord  is  near,  and  heaven  is  before  me. 
Louisa  A.  Lowrie. 

LETTER  TO  MISS  A.  E.  P.,  OF  MORGANTOWN. 
Baltimore,  May  11  th,  1833. 

Dear  A.  E. 

Your  kind  letter  was  received  in  due  time, 
and  was  refeshing  to  me  as  news  from  dear 
home,  when  lonely  among  strangers.  Mr. 
L.  left  this  city  a  week  since,  and  I  felt  a 
little  desolate ;  and  though  it  was  pleasant  to 
hear  from  home,  and,  in  imagination,  to  seat 
myself  w4th  the  dear  circle  assembled  at 
your  mother's  for  prayer,  still  I  do  not  de- 
pend on  these  remembrances  of  the  past  for 
comfort  but  look  upward  and  forward.  On- 
ward must  be  my  course,  and  heavenward 
my  eyes.  I  attended  female  prayer-meeting 
here  this  day  week,  and  hope  to  go  again 
this  evening.     I  felt  as  if  at  homej  there  ap- 


158  MEMOIR     OP 

peared  to  be  the  same  simplicity  and  affec- 
tionate feeling  as  in  Morgantown.  I  hope 
3^ou  will  not  be  discouraged  on  account  of 
numbers  :  there  are  not  many  more  who 
attend  here  than  at  M. 

The  assurance  of  an  interest  in  your  pray- 
ers, and  those  of  other  dear  friends  in  M.,  is 
sweet  consolation  to  me.  I  wonder  that  I 
grow  so  little  in  grace  when  I  enjoy  so  many 
privileges.  I  do  not  recollect  when  I  have 
been  so  much  cast  down  on  account  of  un- 
worthiness,  as  since  my  arrival  here.  I  have 
felt  unfit  to  live,  much  less  to  engage  in  so 
holy  and  so  blessed  a  work.  And  how  can 
I,  dear  A.,  defiled  as  I  am  with  sin,  and  going 
continually  astray  myself, — how  can  I  be 
qualified  to  give  advice  to  others?  Outward 
faults  we  easily  perceive;  but  these  flow 
from  springs  of  evil  which  lie  hidden  in  the 
heart.  The  best  way  to  know  our  faults  is, 
to  pray  much,  to  watch  continually,  and  to 
cherish  an  humble,  teachable  disposition, 
willing  to  see  and  to  forsake  whatever  is' 
wrong.  We  are  apt  to  think  if  we  were 
with  this  person,  or  in  that  place,  we  should 
become  more  eminent  Christians.  But  whilst 
particular  circumstances  do  affect  our  growth 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  159 

in  grace,  this  is  not  necessarily  the  case. 
All  places  are  equally  near  to  God.  We  can 
see  light  only  in  his  light;  and  with  no 
friend  but  him,  with  no  teacher  but  the 
Holy  Spirit,  we  may  do  his  will  more  ac- 
ceptably than  when  we  have  many  objects 
of  dependance. 

A  few  days  since,  in  looking  over  Mr. 
L.'s  trunk,  I  found  your  mother's  farewell 
note  to  him.  I  had  not  seen  it  before  ;  and 
it  brought  the  tears  to  my  eyes.  **  My 
Child r^  Oh,  may  she  ever  pray  and  feel 
for  me,  as  if  I  were  her  own  daughter !  She 
has,  indeed,  been  a  mother  to  me. 

The  acquaintances  I  have  formed  here  are 
most  of  them  very  pleasant.  Perhaps  two 
young  ladies  will  accompany  me  to  Phila- 
delphia. We  expect  to  meet  many  acquaint- 
ances from  the  West  there.  I  have  felt  un- 
usually serious,  and  sometimes  melancholy 
since  my  arrival  here;  but  never  a  moment's 
regret  on  account  of  my  determination  to 
leave  all.  All  my  gloom  has  arisen  from 
dissatisfaction  with  myself.  Remember  me 
kindly  to  all  my  dear  friends. 

Yours  in  the  love  of  Christ, 

Louisa  A.  Lowrie. 


160  MEMOIR     OF 

The  following  pieces,  written  about  this 
time  in  the  albums  of  two  friends,  will  show 
how  beautifully  she  could  blend  serious  feel- 
ing and  instruction  with  the  common  me- 
mentos of  afifection. 


"  That  life  is  long  which  answers  life's  great  end." 

'^  We  are  honoured  in  being  placed  here 
to  live  for  the  glory  of  God.  That  God — 
who  speaks  and  it  is  done — should  employ 
such  worms  as  we  are  to  accomplish  His 
pleasure,  is  cause  for  continual  rejoicing — 
but,  added  to  this^  He  has  promised  a  reward 
for  the  little  we  can  do.  '  They  that  turn 
many  to  righteousness  shall  shine  as  the 
stars  for  ever  and  ever. '  Blessed  prospect ! 
— blessed  privilege  to  labour  for  our  Saviour 
here  ! — blessed  hope  to  dwell  forever  in  the 
presence  of  the  Lord  ! 

"  Come  life — come  death — come  then  what  will — 
"  His  footsteps  let  me  follow  still." 

Louisa  A.  Lowrie. 
^jon7  29M,  1833.'^ 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     LOWRIE.  161 

"  There  is  no  joy  in  the  green-wood  bower, 
There  is  no  joy  in  the  fragrant  flower; 
There  is  nothing  sweet  in  the  balmy  air, 
To  the  heart  that  lingers  in  sadness  there." 

"As  there  is  no  place  secure  from  the  in- 
trusion of  sin,  so  all  places  are  alike  open  to 
the  visits  of  sorrow.  Even  in  my  quiet 
native  vale,  though,  like  Jerusalem  of  old, 
encompassed  round  ahout  with  hills,  and 
separate  from  the  gay  and  thoughtless  world, 
— even  there  sin  and  death  have  visited,  and 
taught  its  contented  inhabitants  that '  this  is 
not  our  rest'  No!  no!  home  with  all  its 
pleasant  scenes,  its  placid  river  and  verdant 
hills,  its  gardens  and  delightful  walks,  its 
friendships  and  loves,  all  these,  all  that  earth 
can  bestow,  cannot  give  happiness  to  the 
soul,  equal  to  that  found  in  one  hour  spent 
(in  obedience  to  the  command  of  our  Lord) 
in  doing  good  to  our  fellow  immortals. 
This  world  is  beautiful,  and  some  of  its 
scenes  are  dear :  but  should  our  attachment 
to  one  loved  spot,  to  one  circle  of  friends, 
prevent  us  from  obeying  the  command  of 
Him  who  gave  us  all!  No :  the  more  he 
has  given  us  here,  the  greater  are  our  obli- 


162  MEMOIR    OF 

gations  to  leave  all  for  Him.  Can  we,  while 
partaking  of  the  '  Spirit  of  Christ/  neglect 
to  give  bread  to  the  hungry  ?  And  will  we 
not  hear  the  cry,  '  We  are  famishing,'  be- 
cause it  comes  from  afar  ?  Can  we  live  at 
ease,  and  be  at  rest,  when  we  know  the  de- 
graded condition  of  heathen  females  ?  Oh  ! 
let  us  not  find  joy  in  any  thing — let  our 
hearts  *  linger  in  sadness,'  until  those  spi- 
ritual blessings  we  enjoy,  are  conveyed  to 
others. 


) 


"  Happy  home !  'tis  sure  I  love  thee ; 

Yet  I  gladly  say,  Farewell ! 
In  the  desert  let  me  labour, 

On  the  mountains  let  me  tell 
How  he  died — the  precious  Saviour, 
K,d   To  redeem  a  world  from  hell.'* 

Louisa  A.  Lowrie." 


JOURNAL   1833. 

May  23d,  Philadelphia. — On  this  day, 
two  years  ago,  I  was  watching  by  the  dying 
bed  of  my  dear  brother  Eugenius.  About 
nine  in  the  evening  his  spirit  took  its  flight, 
as  I  trust,  to  the  world  of  the  blessed.  This 
evening,  how  different  my  circumstances ! 


MRS.    LOUISA     A.    LOWRIE.  163 

far  removed  from  the  loved  circle  who  wept 
with  me  around  his  bed,  parted  from  them 
for  life,  and  making  one  of  a  large  congre- 
gation in  Philadelphia,  witnessing  the  ordi- 
nation of  my  husband  as  a  missionary  to  the 
heathen  ! 

May  2Qth,  Sabbath. — In  the  afternoon 
heard  Dr.  Spring,  in  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church.  After  sermon,  the  Lord's  supper 
was  administered  to  the  members  of  the 
General  Assembly  [then  in  session]  and  as 
many  other  Christians  as  desired  to  partake 
with  them.  The  body  of  the  church  was 
filled  with  communicants — our  last  com- 
munion season  in  a  Christian  land  !  How 
different  will  be  our  next  if  ever  permitted 
to  enjoy  another  ! 

NOTE   TO  HER    SISTER-IN-LAW,  MRS.   A.  P.  C 
AT   STEUBENVILLE. 

Philadelphia,  May  21th^  1833. 

Dear  Sister  A. 

I  have  delayed  writing,  that  I  might  in- 
form you  of  the  time  of  our  sailing.     And 
now  the  time  is  so  near,  and  I  have  so  much 
to  do,  that  I  have  scarcely  leisure  to  write 
14 


164  ME  MO  IE    OF 

as  I  would  wish.  I  remained  two  weeks  in 
Baltimore  with  brother  N.  We  reached 
here  on  Tuesday  the  21st.  Mr.  L.  was 
ordained  on  Thursday  evening  :  I  felt  it  to 
be  the  most  highly  privileged  day  of  my 
life. 

The  people  are  very  kind  in  assisting  us, 
and  supplying  our  wants.  May  the  Lord 
reward  them  !  The  vessel  will  sail  on 
Wednesday.  She  is  the  Star,  Captain  Grif- 
fin. The  Captain  is  spoken  of  as  a  kind 
gentleman,  somewhat  advanced  in  years. 
In  brother  and  sister  Reed  we  shall  have 
pleasant  companions ;  and  in  Christ  we  shall 
find  a  never-failing  friend,  so  that  we  need 
not  fear.     All  will  be  well. 

My  health  is  bad,  and  my  cough  still 
continues,  and  appears  to  have  materially 
weakened  my  lungs.  Indeed,  my  bodily 
strength  is  not  at  all  equal  to  what  it  was 
when  I  left  you.  My  only  hope  of  re- 
covery is  from  the  voyage.  But  I  feel  no 
anxious  concern.  All  is  with  the  Lord  ; 
and  let  him  send  life  or  death,  whatever  is 
His  will,  is  mine.  I  onl>^  pray,  "  Father, 
glorify  thyself'^  in  me. 


MRS.     LOUISA     A,     L  O  W  R  I  E.  1 65 

May  our  precious  Saviour  be  with  you  ! 
Pray  ever  for  us.     Farewell. 

Louisa  A.  Lowrie. 

JOURNAL,  1833. 

May  21th,  Monday. — Much  engaged 
with  company.  No  time  through  the  day 
for  private  meditation  or  prayer;  yet  the 
Lord  kept  me  in  a  tranquil  frame  of  mind. 
In  the  evening  visited  at  Mrs.  K's.,  and 
after warsd  attended  the  meeting  of  the  Fe- 
male Society  for  educating  heathen  youth. 
An  interesting  report  was  read  by  our  kind 
friend,  Mr.  E.,  with  an  extract  from  Mr. 
Ramsey's  last  letter. 

May  28 t/i,  Tuesday. — Through  the  day 
engaged  with  company.  May  the  Lord  di- 
rect their  hearts  to  pray  for  us.  In  the 
afternoon  attended  a  female  prayer  meeting. 
Was  seated  by  the  side  of  "  Mother  P — " 
and  felt  grateful  for  the  affection  she  showed 
me.  I  think  the  Lord  was  with  us,  and 
answered  us  while  we  were  yet  speaking. 

The  languor,  which   had  oppressed    me 


166  I  MEMOIR     OF 

during  the  day,  left  me  ;  and  I  was  strength- 
ened for  the  duties  of  the  evening. 


On  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  May  28th, 
a  missionary  meeting,  numerously  attended, 
was  held  in  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Philadelphia,  to  commend  the  mission-, 
aries,  previously  to  their  departure  on  the 
morrow,  to  the  protection  and  blessing  of 
God.  The  religious  journals  speak  of  it  as 
the  most  deeply  affecting  and  interesting  oc- 
casion of  the  kind  that  had  ever  been  wit- 
nessed in  that  city.  The  venerable  Dr. 
Green,  editor  of  the  Christian  Advocate, 
says,  "  This  was  to  us  the  most  interesting 
meeting  that  we  ever  attended.  Every  thing 
was  calculated  to  excite  solemn  and  delight- 
ful emotions.  We  saw  a  mission  family 
going  out  under  the  auspices  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church,  the  object  of  our  labours 
and  our  prayers  for  successive  years.  The 
family  itself  was  amiable  and  interesting  in 
no  ordinary  degree.  Two  young  brethren 
of  the  most  promising  talents,  with  their 
wives,  to  whom  they  had  been  recently  mar- 
ried, eminently  qualified  to  be  the  partners 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     LOWRIE.  167 

of  missionaries,  and  not  less  devoted  to  the 
work  than  their  husbands ;  all  animated  by 
one  spirit  a  spirit  of  unreserved  devoted- 
ness  to  the  Redeemer,  raising  them  above 
the  world,  and  enabling  them  with  tenderest 
affection,  but  with  serious  cheerfulness,  and 
without  a  sigh  or  a  tear,  to  bid  adieu  for  life 
to  kindred,  friends,  and  country,  that  they 
might  bear  the  messages  of  salvation  to  the 
benighted  heathen.  The  exercises  also  were 
all  appropriate  and  deeply  impressive/' 
"  We  know  not  that  we  were  as  much  affect- 
ed by  any  other  singing  that  we  ever  heard, 
as  we  were  by  the  following  hymn  when 
sung  by  the  sweet  voices  of  the  missionaries 
and  their  wives." 

"  Yes,  ray  native  land,  I  love  thee, 

All  thy  scenes, — I  love  them  well ; 
Friends,  connections,  happy  country  ! 
Can  I  bid  you  ail  farewell  1 
Can  I  leave  you, 
Far  in  heathen  lands  to  dwell  ? 

Home  !  thy  joys  are  passing  lovely : 

Joys  no  stranger  heart  can  tell. 
Happy  home  !  'tis  sure  I  love  thee  ! 

Can  I — can  I  say — Farewell  ? 
14* 


1^  MEMOIR     OF 

Can  I  leave  thee, 
Far  in  heathen  lands  to  dwell  ] 

Scenes  of  sacred  peace  and  pleasure. 
Holy  days,  and  Sabbath  bell, 

Richest,  brightest,  sweetest  treasure  ! 
Can  I  say  a  last  farewell  1 
Can  I  leave  you, 

Far  in  heathen  lands  to  dwell  ? 

Yes,  I  hasten  from  you  gladly. 
From  the  scenes  I  loved  so  well, 

Far  away,  ye  billows,  bear  me  ; 
Lovely  native  land,  farewell ! 
Pleas'd  I  leave  thee, 

Far  in  heathen  lands  to  dwell. 

In  the  deserts  let  me  labour  : 
On  the  mountains  let  me  tell 

How  he  died — the  blessed  Saviour — 
To  redeem  a  world  from  hell ! 
Let  me  hasten. 

Far  in  heathen  lands  to  dwell. 

Bear  me  on  thou  restless  ocean ! 

Let  the  winds  my  canvass  swell : 
Heaves  my  heart  with  warm  emotion, 

While  I  go  far  hence  to  dwell ; 
Glad  I  bid  thee, 
Native  land  !  Farewell  !  Farewell  !" 


MRS.    LOUISA     A,    LOWRIE.  169 

After  the  benediction  had  been  pro- 
nounced, the  missionaries  addressed  a  few 
words  to  the  waiting  crowd.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
LowRiE  first  spoke  of  the  cheerfulness  with 
which  he  and  his  associates  were  about  to  re- 
linquish the  endearments  of  home,  and 
friends,  and  native  land,  to  enter  the  distant 
field  ;  and  the  desire  they  felt,  not  only  that 
they  might  be  remembered  in  the  prayers 
of  Christians,  while  upon  the  ocean,  and  in 
a  foreign  land,  but  that  efibrts  to  send  the 
gospel  to  the  heathen  might  be  greatly  in- 
creased in  the  churches  in  this  country. 

He  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Mr  Reed, 
who,  in  a  feeling  manner,  touched  upon  the 
unhappy  condition  in  which  they  were  about 
to  leave  many  in  this  country,  who  were 
careless  and  impenitent  in  the  midst  of  the 
abundant  means  of  grace  they  enjoyed. 

The  Hon.  Walter  Lowrie,  Secretary 
of  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  whose 
son  was  one  of  the  missionaries,  then  arose, 
at  the  earnest  request  of  some  of  his  friends, 
and  addressed  a  few  words  to  the  assembly. 
This  address,  remarks  the  same  Reverend 
Editor,    ^*  had    in   it   more    of  the    simpli- 


170  MEMOIR     OF 

city,  and  sublimity  of  Christian  principle, 
aim,  and  motive  than  any  thing  we  had  ever 
before  heard  or  read.'^  He  spoke  of  the 
strength  of  those  attachments  which  a  father 
might  be  supposed  to  feel,  towards  a  dutiful 
and  affectionate  son — and  an  eldest  son: 
and  especially  a  son  whose  piety  and  self- 
consecration  to  the  missionary  work,  were, 
in  his  mind,  associated  with  the  counsels 
and  prayers  of  the  departed  wife — the  sainted 
mother;  whose  eminent  Christian  graces  and 
attainments,  the  occasion  seemed  so  forcibly 
to  recall.  But  he  assured  his  Christian 
friends,  that,  though  he  felt,  and  felt  deeply, 
at  parting  with  these  children,  yet,  instead  of 
any  feeling  of  reluctance  or  regret,  he  could 
say  that  he  was  willing,  and  even  anxious 
that  they  should  go: — that  if  there  was  any 
station  which  he  envied,  it  was  that  which 
they  were  about  to  assume;  and  that  he 
could  freely  part  with  every  child  he  had,  if 
they  were  going  to  leave  their  native  shores, 
on  such  an  errand. 

But  to  give  an  adequate  summary  of  these 
remarks,  or  to  describe  the  manner  in  which 
they  were  delivered,  or  the  effect  which  they 


MRS.    LOUISA     A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  171 

produced  upon  the  audience,  would  be  utterly 
impracticable.  Though  the  exercises  were 
protracted  to  a  late  hour,  the  people  seemed 
unwilling  to  terminate  the  services  of  so  de- 
lightful an  evening. 

JOURNAL,  1833. 

May  28,  Tuesday  evening. — Attended 
the  farewell  meeting.  Dr.  Alexander's  ad- 
dress was  most  inspiriting.  The  kindness  of 
the  people  almost  overcame  me.  Again  and 
again  the  question  arose  in  my  mind.  Why, 
0  Lord,  dost  thou  favour  me  thus  ?  I  felt 
stronger  than  for  many  weeks  previous. 
After  returning  to  Mr.  J.  P.  E.'s,  could 
scarcely  refrain  from  weeping  that  this  was 
the  last  evening  we  were  to  spend  with  these 
kind  friends. 

Wednesday, — At  three  o'clock,  P.  M., 
we  were  at  the  boat.  The  farewells  were 
nearly  all  exchanged.  Our  friends  stood 
watching  on  the  shore;  and  above  them  all 
dear  Mr.  E.  Tears  would  flow.  I  looked 
back  until  they  were  lost  in  the  distance, 
and  I  then  felt  that  home  and  friends  were  all 


172  M  E  M  0  I  R    0  F 

lost  to  me.  A  choking  sensation  came  over 
me:  I  tried  to  look  to  heaven  and  there  found 
some  support.  Yet  my  mind  was  in  much 
confusion,  and  I  only  realized  that  most  of 
those  I  loved  on  earth  were  left  behind;  that 
I  should  see  them  no  more  on  this  side  the 
grave.  And  though  I  felt  no  desire  to  turn 
back,  yet  it  seemed  as  if  my  heart  strings 
were  breaking  asunder. 

Nature  seemed  to  mourn  with  me.  The 
rain  poured  down  and  every  thing  looked 
gloomy,  until  a  short  time  after  our  arrival 
at  Newcastle,  when  the  sun  broke  out,  and 
a  beautiful  rainbow  appeared  in  the  heavens. 
The  clouds  which  had  appeared  so  dark, 
were  tinged  with  brightness;  and  by  these 
changes  in  nature,  the  promises  of  God  were 
brought  to  my  mind.  I  felt  more  of  the 
blessedness  of  trusting  in  the  Lord;  and 
cheerfulness  took  possession  of  my  breast. 
After  tea  at  Newcastle,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H. 
with  other  friends  who  had  accompanied  us, 
bade  us  farewell,  and  after  a  season  of  prayer, 
we  retired  to  rest. 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    L  0  W  R  I  E.  .  173 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  DR.  M.  S.  TO 
THE  HON.  EDGAR  C.  WILSON,  OF  MORGAN- 
TOWN. 

Philadelphia,  May  23th,  J  833. 

It  will  be  highly  gratifying  to  you  and 
your  friends,  to  know  that  the  utmost  kind- 
ness and  attention,  which  Christian  friend- 
ship is  capable  of  exerting,  was  paid  to  your 
beloved  sister,  and  her  affectionate  husband; 
and  if  the  prayers  of  the  righteous  shall 
avail  much,  their  success  will  be  commen- 
surate with  their  most  ardent  and  holy  de- 
sires. 

Last  night  Mrs.  S.  and  myself  were  with 
them  until  11  o'clock,  at  which  time,  when 
I  parted  from  your  sister,  she  desired  me 
to  say  to  her  friends,  that  "this  was  the  hap- 
piest moment  of  her  life."  And  I  may  add 
that  it  was  a-  truly  gratifying  occasion,  to  see 
all  the  Rev.  Clergy — the  Fathers  of  the 
church,  some  of  whom  have  long  since  re- 
tired from  pastoral  duties,  come  forward 
with  all  the  fervency  of  youth,  to  commend 
these  young  missionaries  of  the  cross  to 
God,  and  to  add  their  prayers  to  those  of 


174  MEMOIR     OF 

the  thronging  multitude  for  their  preserva- 
tion and  success.  Believe  me,  my  dear  sir, 
few  if  any  went  away  without  shedding  tears, 
and  feeling  that  the  occasion  was  one  of  pe- 
culiar solemnity.  The  thrilling  sympathy 
which  ran  through  the  assembly,  when  they 
sung  the  "  Farewell  Hymn,'^  was  beyond 
expression.  Even  those  who  felt  most  deeply 
cannot  adequately  describe  the  moving  scene. 
Yours  very  truly, 

M.  S. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  TO  HON.  EDGAR  C. 
WILSON,  OF  MORGANTOWN. 

Ship  Star,  Delaware  Bay,  May  30<A,  1833. 

Dear  Brother  and  Sister  : 

Having  arranged  a  few  flowers,  and 
seated  myself  in  the  cabin,  I  feel  quite  at 
home ;  and  wish  to  tell  you  how  happy  I 
am.  We  left  Philadelphia  yesterday,  at  3 
o'clock,  P.  M.  Several  ladies  and  gentle- 
men accompanied  us  from  that  city,  with 
father,  and  brother  M.,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Swift. 
We  came  on  board  this  morning  ;  many 
accompanied  us — now  all  are  gone.  Our 
vessel  is  nobly  stemming  the  tide  with  a  fine 


MRS.      L  O  U  I  S  A    A.    L  O  W  R  I  K.  175 

breeze,  and  now  "  Native  land,  farewell, 
farewell!"  The  desires  of  my  heart  are 
thus  far  accomplished.  "  I  love  the  Lord 
because  he  hath  heard  my  voice."  "  Bless 
the  Lord,  Oh  my  soul !"  Last  evening, 
sorrow  filled  my  heart  because  I  was  so  soon 
to  leave  all ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  I  rejoiced 
in  the  privilege.  This  morning  I  feel  as 
cheerful  as  I  ever  did  in  my  life. 
Farewell.  May  God  bless  you  all  ! 
Your  loving  Sister, 

Louisa  A.  Lowrie. 

"P.  S.     I  send  this  back  by  the  pilot. 

JOURNAL)    1833. 

May  2>\st,  Fridaij.—We  all  felt  unwell, 
but  tried  to  keep  about.  I  thought  much  of 
-the  comforts  of  home,  and  was  tempted  to 
envy  the  ease  of  the  wicked.  Wished  to 
be  engaged  for  the  conversion  of  the  hea- 
then, but  wondered  if  the  Lord  could  not 
employ  some  easier  method  to  instruct  them. 
Immediately  I  felt  ashamed  of  my  selfish 
love  of  ease.  May  the  Lord  forgive  the 
sins  of  my  thoughts  during  sickness  ! 
15 


176  MEMOIR     OF 

June  2d,  Sabbath. — Quite  ill  of  sea-sick- 
ness. Prayers  on  deck,  and  a  short  public 
service  during  the  day.  Mr.  Lowrie,  though 
unwell,  made  some  remarks  on  the  23d 
Psalm,  showing  the  character  of  God  as 
worthy  of  the  confidence  of  his  people. 
Felt  willing  to  be  in  the  Lord's  hands,  and 
know  no  will  but  his  ;  but  was  too  languid 
to  feel  much  enjoyment. 

June  9t/i,  Sabbath. — All  too  ill,  and 
weather  too  bad  to  have  prayers;  as  had 
been  the  case  during  most  of  the  preceding 
week.  This  is  no  day  of  rest  to  me.  In 
the  evening  thought  that  the  sickness  of  the 
day  could  not  excuse  my  wandering,  worldly 
thoughts.  While  Mr.  L.  was  singing  some 
hymns,  the  Lord  granted  me  some  views  of 
the  heavenly  country,  which  made  the  sor- 
rows of  this  life  appear  light.  Shed  tears 
of  joy  at  the  prospect  of  being  one  day  with 
the  Lord.  "- 

Monday. — I  have  to  complain  of  the  low 
state  of  piety  in  my  heart.  Feel  much  the 
want  of  a  place  for  private  prayer.  Very 
little  concerned  for  souls.  Soul  and  body 
overcome  with  languor. 


31  R  S.    LOriSA     A.     LOMRIE.  177 

Tuesday. — Had  some  views  of  the  neces- 
sity of  a  nearer  walk  with  God.  Weather 
bad — ship  tossing — no  fear  of  death — feel 
calmness  of  mind,  but  little  love. 

Wednesday. — Finished  reading  the  life 
of  Barr.  The  spirit  he  manifested  con- 
demns me.  We  concluded  to  hold  confer- 
ence meetings  on  Wednesday  evenings. 
Subject  for  next  evening,  the  first  four 
verses  of  Col.  iii. 

Thursday . — Feel  quit§  well — my  mind 
clear.  Had  new  desires  for  communion  with 
God.  Commenced  with  Sister  Reed  com- 
mitting to  memory  some  of  the  promises  of 
God. 

Friday. — Had  prayers  in  the  cabin  for 
the  first  time.  [  They  had  been  held  on  the 
deck  previously.l  Determined  to  study 
for  Bible  class,  the  1st  chapter  of  the  Acts. 
Felt  thankful  for  the  kindness  of  the  captain 
and  officers  of  the  ship.  Had  some  plea- 
sant conversations  and  begin  to  feel  myself 
at  home.  This  afternoon  had  a  distant  view 
of  one  of  the  Azores,  or  Western  Islands. 
It  did  not  look  much   like  land,  being  dis- 


178  MEMOIR    OF 

tinguishable  from  the  clouds  only  by  the  de- 
finiteness  of  the  outline. 

June  16t/i,  Sabbath. — A  very  pleasant 
morning,  but  too  calm  to  speed  us  on  our 
way.  Divine  service  on  board  at  half  past 
nine.  All  hands  atten4  who  are  not  on 
duty.  Brother  Reed  preached  from  John 
iii.  7.  "  Ye  must  be  born  again."  Had  Bible 
class  among  ourselves  at  4  o'clock.  This 
has  been  a  pleasant  and  I  trust  a  profitable 
day  to  me ;  though  1  have  felt  not  a  little 
discouraged  in  view  of  my  unfitness  for 
every  good  work. 

LETTER  TO   HON.  E.  C.    WILSON  OF  MORGAN- 
TOWN. 
Ship  Star,  near  the  Azores,  June  18th,  1833. 
Again,  dear  brother  and  sister,  I  write  to 
you  from  the  bosom  of  the  vast  waters:  and 
now,  as  when  last  I  wrote,   with  land  in 
sight  on  both  sides.     Very  soon  after  des- 
patching my  letter  to  you  from  Delaware 
Bay,  we  were  all  visited  with  sea-sickness. 
This  was  indeed  a  severe  trial.     After  the 
pain  of  bidding  farewell  to  friends  and  coun- 
try, we   were  scarcely  prepared  to  endure 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     I,  0  W  R  I  E.  179 

this  most  depressing  of  maladies.  Every 
tiling  about  us  appeared  loathsome.  Our  ca- 
bin, about  20  by  IS  feet,  with  a  large  table 
fastened  down  in  the  centre;  and  the  little 
remaining  space  occupied  by  no  less  than 
twenty-five  trunks,  chests,  boxes,  and  writ- 
ing desks,  piled  up  in  all  directions,  sur- 
mounted by  baskets,  coats,  cloaks,  &c.,  &c., 
seemed  too  vile  to  live  in,  one^day,  to  say 
nothing  of  four  or  five  months.  And  then 
all  the  food  had  .a  peculiar  ship-like  taste, 
and  our  mouths  seemed  filled  with  salt  w^ater, 
and  every  thing  looked  disagreeable.  Oh! 
my  heart  turned  to  the  sweet  scenes  of  home, 
and  I  thanked  the  Lord  that  you  were  there 
in  the  enjoyment  of  comfort  and  peace. 
But  though  I  felt  so  cheerless,  I  do  not  re- 
collect that  I  at  any  time  regretted  leaving 
you.  And  though  my  heart  ached,  and  tears 
would  flow,  when  past  scenes  of  enjoyment 
rose  to  my  view,  yet  I  knew  that  in  the 
service  of  the  Lord,  I  could  be  happy  here 
as  well  as  there.  Now,  our  sickness  is  pretty 
well  over ;  and  our  minds  resume  their 
wonted  elasticity.  We  look  back  to  those 
we  have  left  with  calmness,  and  forward  to 
15* 


180  MEMOIROF 

our  work  with  joy.  The  Lord  is  our  Shep- 
herd, we  shall  not  want.  The  weather, 
during  the  first  two  weeks  of  our  voyage, 
was  rough,  and  we  had  one  quite  severe 
gale.  The  ship  several  times  seemed  about 
to  sink;  but  our  minds  were  kept  in  peace. 
On  inquiry  of  each  other,  it  appeared  that  a 
watery  grave  had  no  terrors  to  our  little  fa- 
mily; and  we  felt  that  if  we  should  go  down, 
our  Father  was  ready  to  receive  our  spirits. 
The  weather  has  been  pleasant  for  a  few 
days;  and  we  have  seen  more  or  less  dis- 
tinctly, eight  of  the  Azores.  We  have  now 
in  sight  St.  Michael's  on  the  north,  and  St. 
Mary's  on  the  south.  They  are  all  very 
mountainous,  and  are  inhabited  by  Portu- 
guese, who  cultivate  the  vine.  Yesterday 
we  were  almost  entirely  becalmed:  the  ocean 
had  the  appearance  of  glass;  and  the  sails 
flapping  idly  left  the  vessel  to  rock  to  and 
fro  as  the  swells  directed.  This  rest,  after 
our  stormy  weather,  is  so  pleasant,  that  we 
can  scarcely  wish  for  a  change,  though  so 
necessary  to  the  speed  of  our  voyage;  and 
it  reminds  me  somewhat  of  the  Christian's 
journey.  Gales  of  affliction  propel  him  most 


MRS.      LOUISA      A.      LOWRIE.  181 

swiftly  towards  heaven,  yet  the  heart  retains 
so  much  love  of  ease  that  it  prefers  the  calm, 
although  thereby  kept  longer  out  of  port. 
Farewell. 

L.  A.  LowRiE. 

LETTER  TO  THE  SAME. 
FuncJtal,  Island  of  Madeira,  June  29th,  1833. 

Dear  Brother  and  Sister: 

Through  God's  mercy  we  have  arrived 
here  in  safety.  On  Sunday  last  we  came  in 
sight  of  the  island;  and  when  near  enough 
dimly  to  distinguish  its  vineyards  and  cot- 
tages, were  becalmed  so  completely,  as  to 
remain  nearly  in  one  spot  for  about  eighteen 
hours.  We  had  sermon  as  usual  on  deck. 
It  was  a  most  lovely  day:  all  seemed  calm- 
ness and  peace.  I  think  I  never  saw  the 
glory  of  the  Creator  more  plainly  shown 
forth  in  his  works,  than  when  contemplating 
the  scenery  before  me — all  arranged  with  so 
much  wisdom  and  beauty.  The  lofty  cliffs 
of  rock,  extending  around  the  base  of  the 
island, seemed  to  say  to  the  waves,  "Hitherto 
shalt  thou  come  and  no  further."  The 
towering   mountains   in  some  places  appa- 


182  MEMOTROF 

rently  cleft  asunder,  but  covered  with  ver- 
dure, and  dotted  here  and  there  with  white 
chapels,  and  clusters  of  houses,  wrung  from 
the  heart  the  acknowledgment,  "  Great  and 
glorious  are  thy  works,  Lord  God  Al- 
mighty!'^ I  have  seldom  enjoyed  a  more 
pleasant  Sabbath.  I  was  thankful  that  the 
calm  prevented  our  getting  into  port,  as  all 
would  have  been  confusion  and  Sabbath 
breaking:  and  the  land  being  quite  near,  and 
the  mountains  so  much  resembling  our  own 
Alleghenies,  filled  my  heart  with  pleasure. 
We  had  Bible-class  in  the  afternoon;  and 
remained  later  than  usual  on  deck  to  enjoy 
the  moonlight  and  balmy  air.  When  the 
evening  shades  had  almost  hid  the  island 
from  our  view,  a  new  scene  was  spread  out 
before  us.  Brilliant  lights  from  all  the  cha- 
pels, and  glow-worm  lights  from  the  private 
dwellings,  made  their  appearance  in  every 
direction;  making  the  whole  island,  with 
the  help  of  a  little  imagination,  appear  like 
a  lower  sky  bedecked  with  stars.  The  next 
day  about  noon,  we  put  into  the  harbour. 
Every  heart  was  joyful,  and  every  eye  beam- 
ed brightly.     In  a  short  time  all  our  gentle- 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     LOWRIE.  183 

men  were  dressed  in  land-clothes,  and  looked 
like  other  beings.  It  was  "  St.  John's  day/' 
when  we  arrived;  and  the  bells  of  all  sizes 
and  tones  were  ringing  merrily.  Pleasure 
boats  were  rowing  about  on  the  water — the 
Portuguese  all  dressed  in  their  best  attire — 
and  nothing  appeared  to  damp  the  joy  of  our 
hearts.  After  the  health  officers  had  visited 
the  ship,  and  ascertained  that  there  was  no 
sickness  among  us,  two  custom-house  officers 
were  placed  on  board,  to  prevent  smuggling, 
and  then  leave  was  given  to  go  on  shore. 
Several  Americans  came  on  board,  being 
acquainted  with  some  of  our  passengers. 
They  seemed  like  brothers  to  us  in  this 
strange  land.  Oh,  if  you  could  but  see  this 
island,  as  it  appears  to  one  coming  into  port! 
Imagination  never  pictured  any  thing  to  my 
mind  so  beautiful.  The  white  houses  of 
Funchal  rising  in  beautiful  irregularity  one 
above  another,  on  the  steep  commencement 
of  the  tremendous  mountain,  which  spread- 
ing to  the  right  and  left,  nearly  hides  its 
summit  among  the  clouds;  the  vines  and 
flowers  among  the  houses;  and  farther  up, 
above  the  city,  the  vineyards  speckled  with 


184  MEMOIR    OF 

white  cottages;  here  and  there  a  cluster  of 
trees,  and  occasionally  a  patch  of  wheat; 
near  to  the  summit  of  the  mount,  the  spa- 
cious and  beautiful  convent  of  La  nostre 
Signora  del  Monta;  while  on  the  right 
and  left,  as  far  as  vision  extended,  were  ir- 
regular hills  covered  with  verdure. 

On  a  nearer  inspection  of  the  city,  every 
thing  appeared  ancient.  The  high  walls 
looked  as  if  they  had  been  built  for  ages. 
We  were  admitted  through  a  gate  guarded 
by  sentinels.  The  streets  are  about  twelve 
feet  wide,  paved  with  round  stones,  swarm- 
ing with  flies  and  other  insects,  and  withal 
very  steep.  Every  thing  reminded  me  of  the 
scenes  described  in  old  Spanish  Romances ; 
and  every  house  looked  like  a  nunnery.  The 
walls  between  the  houses  are  overhung  with 
ivy  and  flowers  of  various  kinds  ;  and  we 
could  see  above  them  the  arbours  of  grape 
vines.  Every  window,  every  chink  was 
stuck  with  flowers  and  greens,  in  honour  of 
the  day.  We  walked  up  to  the  "  quint a^"^ 
or  country  seat  of  Mr.  P.,  (with  whom  we 
lodge,)  which  is  about  a  mile  from  the  water's 
edge.     The  natives  were  very  polite,  always 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    LOWRIE.  185 

taking  oil"  their  funnel-shaped  hats  as  they 
passed.  Mr.  P.'s  house  is  situated  in  the 
midst  of  a  large  garden,  beautifully  terraced, 
surrounded  by  a  high  wall  overhung  in  many 
places  with  vines  and  flowers,  and  filled  with 
every  thing  which  can  delight  the  eye  or 
gratify  the  taste.  The  tall  sycamore,  oak, 
and  cypress,  overshadow  the  banana,  fig, 
orange,  and  lemon,  geraniums  and  lark- 
spurs. The  richest  tropical  plants  dwell 
harmoniously  with  hollyhocks,  marigolds, 
and  many  American  flowers.  Truly,  when 
the  gate  was  opened,  and  we  were  ushered 
into  this  garden  of  delights,  the  birds  carol- 
ling sweet  welcome,  it  appeared  like  Eden, 
after  the  storms  and  sickness  of  ocean  life. 
1  trust  I  did,  indeed,  thank  the  Lord  that  he 
had  directed  us  here.  Mr.  P.  is  an  English 
Methodist.  He  and  his  family  do  all  in 
their  power  to  make  us  comfortable  and 
happy.  We  had  no  letters  of  introduction, 
yet  Providence  guided  us  here,  where  we 
probably  enjoy  more  spiritual  and  temporal 
comfort  than  we  could  have  found  at  any 
other  place  on  the  island.  We  expect  to  be 
here  perhaps  two  weeks — much  longer  than 


186  MEMOIR    OF 

we  anticipated.  We  wish  to  employ  the 
time  in  study,  and  as  the  climate  is  delight- 
ful we  feel  strong.  We  are  to  hold  a  social 
meeting  here  this  evening:  a  few  English 
people  will  assemble.  They  are  generally 
of  the  Church  of  England.  They  have  a 
church  and  a  pastor ;  but  are  far  from  being 
strict.  The  Portuguese  are  all  Roman  Ca- 
tholics— as  su'bmissive  to  the  priests  as  they 
were  two  hundred  years  ago.  The  govern- 
ment is  very  despotic  and  the  people  are 
much  oppressed. 

While  at  sea  my  cough  was  better.  It  is 
now  worse,  and  my  breast  is  very  weak.  I 
have  now  very  little  expectation  of  recovery. 
Mr.  Lowrie  thinks,  however,  that  our  resi- 
dence in  this  mild  climate,  and  the  subse- 
quent voyage,  may  restore  me.  All  is  with 
the  Lord,  and  in  his  hands  I  leave  it.  And 
now  I  could  sai/  on  for  hours,  how  often  I 
think  of  you,  even  with  tears;  how  my 
heart  clings  to  you,  to  my  dear  home,  and 
all  my  dear  friends  in  Morgantown;  but  this 
would  be  useless.  It  is  sufficient  to  say  that 
distance  does  not  diminish  my  affection ; 
and  that  nothing  could  reconcile  me  to  this 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.     L  O  W  U  I  E.  187 

separation,  but  the  blessed  prospect  of  bein^ 
more  useful  in  the  service  of  my  Lord. 

May  the  God  of  peace  be  with  you.  Fare- 
well. L.  A.  LowRiE. 

LETTER  TO  MRS.  H. 
Fanchal,  Island  of  Madeira,  July  12th,  1833. 

Dear  Mrs.  H. 

I  remember  your  injunction,  to  write,  as 
if  sitting  by  your  side,  giving  a  simple  nar- 
ration of  events — but  I  cannot  feel  as  much 
interested,  as  if  you  were  here,  occasionally 
asking  a  question,  giving  a  smile  of  encour- 
agement, or  word  of  advice.  » 

The  gloom  which  hung  over  my  mind 
during  the  last  evening  I  spent  with  you — 
the  last  I  spent  in  loved  America — passed 
away  with  the  night ;  the  next  morning  my 
heart  was  as  cheerful  as  the  day  was  bright. 
I  think,  without  a  tear,  we  all  said  the  last 
tarcwells,  and  almost  without  a  sigh  looked 
for  the  last  time  on  our  native  land.  Sup- 
porting grace  was  given  us,  I  believe,  in 
answer  to  the  prayers  of  ffiends. 

But  it  will  not  do  to  "  number  only  the 
hours  that  are  bright.'^  We  have  had  some 
16 


188  MEMOIR    OF 

hours  of  darkness.  When  sea-sickness  came 
on,  strength  both  of  mind  and  body  almost 
failed  us.  With  me  faith's  vision  was,  in  a 
great  measure,  obscured.  I  could  only  see 
the  pleasant  scenes  of  home — hear  the  kind 
tones  of  long-loved  voices — and  weep  that  I 
should  enjoy  them  no  more.  Yet  even  at 
such  times,  the  cry  of  my  heart  was  "  On- 
ward." But,  with  all  our  discouragements, 
our  comforts  have  abounded — "  hitherto  the 
Lord  hath  helped  us,"  and  we  cheerfully 
commit  our  way  for  the  future  to  his  direc- 
tion. Though  our  residence  on  this  island 
has,  in  many  respects,  been  pleasant,  yet  we 
are  glad  that  the  time  draws  near  when  we 
will  again  be  on  our  way.  We  expect  to 
sail  to-morrow. 

Faith  and  patience  appear  to  me  to  be 
more  necessary  for  persons  in  our  circum- 
stances, than  any  other  graces — though  fa- 
voured with  every  temporal  blessing.  Yet 
the  separation  from  friends  and  christian 
privileges,  and  uncertainty  as  to  our  own 
future  course,  would  make  us  very  unhappy, 
were  it  not  that  we  are,  in  some  measure, 
enabled  to  look  to  the  recompense  of  reward, 


MRS.    LOUISA     A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  189 

and  believe  that  God  will  make  all  things 
work  together  for  our  good. 

I  am  not  able  as  yet  to  give  you  an  entire 
list  of  the  articles  necessary  for  a  voyage. 
Thus  far,  the  principal  thing  I  have  felt  the 
want  of,  was  warm  loose  clothing — cool  sea- 
breezes  and  continuous  rains  are  rather  chil- 
ling, and  on  ship-board  we  have  no  fire.  I 
have  sometimes  found  it  necessary  to  sit 
wrapped  in  a  cloak  over  my  warmest  winter 
clothing.  Double  calico  wrappers,  of  dark 
material,  would  be  very  convenient ;  but  of 
these  things  we  will  know  better  when  the 
voyage  is  completed.  For  your  kind  atten- 
tions to  us,  I  cannot  express  my  thanks.  I 
trust  you  feel  the  reward  in  your  own  soul. 

I  might  say  much  of  the  beautiful  scenery 
and  pleasant  climate  of  this  island,  but  I 

refer  you  to  Mrs. 's  letters  to  ^ome 

of  her  friends,  which  I  presume  you  will 
see.  Of  this  place  too  we  may  say,  "  Here 
every  prospect  pleases,  and  only  man  is 
vile."  We  seem  to  have  gone  back  to  the 
times  before  the  reformation,  so  great  is  the 
ignorance  of  the  people,  and  their  subjection 
to  the  priests.    All  their  rites  and  ceremonies 


190  MEMOIROF 

remind  me  of  the  heathen.  Mr.  Lowrle  has 
gone  out  to  walk,  leaving  me  a  charge  to 
"be  short,"  as  writing  is  injurious  to  me. 
If  he  were  here,  I  know  he  would  have 
some  word  of  remembrance  to  dearly  be- 
loved Professor  H.  and  yourself.  Present 
my  kind  remembrance  to  your  good  husband 
and  his  brother.  I  hope  we  are  often  remem- 
bered by  you  at  a  throne  of  grace.  We  all 
enjoy  good  spirits  now — though  we  will 
doubtless  have  another  visit  of  sea-sickness 
and  consequent  gloom  when  re-embarked. 
During  sea-sickness  my  cough  almost  left 
me,  but  returned  with  our  approach  to  land. 
But  I  am  writing  too  long.  May  the  Lord 
give  to  both  Professor  H.  and  yourself, 
health  and  length  of  days,  if  it  be  his  holy 
will,  and  increased  usefulness  while  life  shall 
last. 

Yours,  I  trust,  in  the  bonds  of  christian 
love, 

Louisa  Ann  Lowrie. 

JOURNAL    1833. 
July  lOth. — We  have  been  on  this  island 
more  than  two  weeks, — much  longer  than 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     L  O  W  R  I  E.  191 

we  expected.  I  think  the  health  of  all  is 
improved  by  our  residence  in  this  pleasant 
climate :  and  we  have  had  more  opportuni- 
ties for  reflection,  and  mental  improvement, 
than  we  had  previously  enjoyed  for  a  long 
time.  I  trust  the  Lord  is  with  us,  in  our 
social  meetings.  At  the  monthly  concert, 
though  but  four  in  number,  I  think  the  pro- 
mise has  been  verified  to  us. 

When  I  review  my  life  and  consider  how 
kindly  the  Lord  has  led  me  along, — that 
"  when  my  father  and  mother  forsook  me, 
then  the  Lord  took  me  up," — that  by  his 
Spirit,  by  his  mercies,  as  well  as  his  afflictive 
dispensations,  he  has  sought  to  win  my  heart 
to  himself;  how  he  now  gives  me  comfort 
on  every  side,  kind  friends,  a  most  affec- 
tionate husband,  who  is  a  spiritual  helper  to 
me;  cheerfulness  of  soul  while  separated 
from  home  and  friends,  and  a  blessed  pros- 
pect of  everlasting  bliss ;  when  I  think  of  all 
this,  I  trust  the  goodness  of  God  leads  me  to 
repentance.  Oh,  I  would  love  him  more  ! 
But  this  earthly  heart  still  cleaves  to  self 
and  to  things  below. 

July  Wth. — To-morrow,  perhaps,  we 
16* 


192  MEMOIR     OF 

shall  resume  our  voyage.  This  has  been  a 
pleasant  rest.  I  dread  the  sea-sickness  and 
the  confinement  of  the  ship  too  much :  but 
I  would  not  stop  by  the  way.  No  :  if  it  be 
the  Lord's  will,  I  pray  him  to  spare  my  life 
a  little  longer  to  labour  in  his  dear  cause — 
to  take  us  swiftly  on,  and  make  us  a  blessing 
to  many  generations. 

July  \2th. — This  is  the  last  evening  I 
expect  to  spend  on  land  for  a  long  time ; 
perhaps  ever !  I  cannot,  without  regret, 
leave  this  beautiful  scene.  But  why  should 
I  feel  any  regret  since  the  Lord  goes  with 
us  ?  Farewell,  then,  pleasant  land,  farewell 
ye  verdant  hills,  flowery  gardens,  and  sing- 
ing birds  !  If  the  ocean  is  to  be  my  grave, 
and  these  pleasant  prospects  no  more  greet 
my  eye  on  earth,  oh !  may  I,  through  in- 
finite mercy,  be  admitted  to  dwell  in  that 
land  where 

" Everlasting  spring  abides 

And  never  withering  flowers." 

Amen.     Come,  Lord  Jesus ! 

July   29 t/i.— We    left  Madeira   on   tlie 


MRS.   LOUISA    A.    LOWRIE.  193 

1 3th  instant.  I  felt  much  regret  on  leaving 
that  scene  of  quiet,  where  the  Lord  had  in 
secret  so  sweetly  visited  my  soul ;  but  my 
mind  was  kept  in  perfect  peace  for  nearly 
two  days.  I  think  I  felt  no  desire  but  that 
God's  will  should  be  done.  Had  another 
visitation  of  sea-sickness,  but  not  very  se- 
vere; neither  was  my  soul  cast  down  so 
much  as  before.  Have  not  felt  the  same 
yearnings  after  the  society  of  distant  friends. 
For  this  I  would  praise  the  Lord;  for  it 
was  a  source  of  unhappiness  to  me.  The 
weather  has  been  unexpectedly  pleasant: 
and  though  we  have  been  for  some  time 
within  the  Torrid  Zone,  yet  we  have  not 
found  the  heat  very  oppressive.  Indeed 
we  are  surrounded  with  mercies.  I  have  to 
lament  that  I  do  not  improve  my  time:  my 
mind  appears  relaxed,  and  I  am  confused  by 
the  constant  noise  around  me.  This  may  in 
part  be  ascribed  to  ill  health,  as  I  have  con- 
tinual pain  in  my  head.  But  I  fear  my 
sickness  is  not  sanctified  to  me.-  And 
though  I  have  no  fear  of  death,  yet  I  some- 
times am  afraid  that,  on  account  of  my  un- 
worthiness,  I  shall  be  left  to  grope  my  way 


194  M  r:  M  o  I  R    of 

in  darkness  at  the  last  hour.      Lord  Jesus, 
prepare  and  receive  my  spirit ! 

On  Friday  last  we  "  spoke  a  vessel." 
This  is  quite  refreshing  after  being  long  at 
sea.  Yesterday  was  Sabbath,  and  I  think  it 
was  a  profitable  one  to  me.  Felt  more  than 
usually  prayerful,  and  had  many  sweet 
thoughts  of  heaven.  In  the  afternoon  was 
afflicted  with  head-ache,  so  that  I  could  not 
enjoy  Bible-class.  Many  persons,  of  whom 
I  have  read,  enjoyed  so  great  a  degree  of 
spiritual  comfort  as  almost  to  forget  bodily 
pains.  Oh  Lord,  make  me  as  I  should  be  ! 
In  all  circumstances,  give  me  submission 
and  cheerfulness.     Amen. 


She  wrote  no  more  in  her  Journal  after 
this  date,  and  very  little  to  her  friends. 
The  few  letters  given  in  the  sequel  are  all 
the  compiler  has  been  able  to  collect. 

LETTER  TO  MISS  R.  C,  OF  FAYETTE  CO.  PA. 

Ship  Star^  Atlantic  Oceav,  near  the  i 
Equator,  August  5th,  1833.       \ 

My  Dearest  Mrs.  C. 

This  is  but  a  poor  substitute  for  the  plea- 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     L  O  W  R  I  E.  195 

sant  intercourse  we  used  to  enjoy  together. 
And  when  I  think  liow  long  it  will  he  be- 
fore this  reaches  you,  and  how  much  longer 
before  an  answer  can  reach  me,  my  heart 
sinks  within  me*  Oh  how  pleasant  would 
it  be  this  morning  to  hear  from  you^  and  all 
my  dear  friends !  I  may  never  hear  from 
them  again  in  this  world ;  but  our  Father 
in  heaven  knows  of  their  welfare,  and  cares 
for  them,  and  this  should  be  sufficient.  I 
often  wonder  that  I  am  so  happy  here.  If 
it  were  not  for  the  wanderings  of  my  heart 
from  God,  I  think  I  should  indeed  ])e  very 
happy ;  l)ut  a  ship  is  a  poor  place  for  devo- 
tion. I  fear  our  friends  at  home  are  not 
aware  how  much  we  need  their  prayers. 
We  were  twenty  four  days  on  the  passage 
from  Philadelphia  to  Madeira — the  weather 
rough,  and  we  much  of  the  time  sea  sick. 
We  were  about  three  weeks  at  Madeira. 
On  the  13th  of  July  we  re-embarked,  and 
were  again  visited  with  sea-sickness;  but 
the  Lord  has  sustained  us,  and  we  have  been 
enabled  to  look  back  without  regret  and 
forward  with  hope.  Until  within  a  week, 
my    health   has  been    gradually   failing.      I 


196  MEMOIR      OF 

can  now  have  no  doubt  that  consumption 
has  a  firm  hold  of  me.  For  the  last  week 
I  have  been  better.  You  cannot  imagine 
how  much  more  favourable  the  sea  air  is, 
than  that  of  the  land.  Thus  far  we  have 
had  very  few  days  uncomfortably  warm  : 
and  now,  near  the  Equator,  I  am  sitting 
thickly  clothed,  and  wrapped  in  a  shawl. 
This  is  owing  to  the  cool  breezes ;  and  we 
esteem  it  a  great  favour."  Referring  to  their 
accommodations  in  the  ship,  she  writes, 
"  my  berth  was  just  under  Mr.  L.'s,  and 
being  very  low,  I  could  only  lie  with  my 
facelo  the  front,  as  when  I  turned  I  could 
not  get  my  breath.  It  was  very  warm  and, 
moreover,  thickly  inhabited  by  cock-roaches. 
I  always  felt  tired  on  going  to  bed,  but 
much  more  so  when  I  arose  in  the  morning. 
But  this  evil  is  over.  The  Captain  was 
kind  enough  at  Mr.  L.'s  suggestion,  to  have 
a  little  frame  erected  at  one  side  of  the 
cabin  ;  and  I  now  sleep  quite  comfortably, 
considering  all  things,  such  as  the  tossing  of 
the  ship,  &c.  The  Captain  does  every  thing 
in  his  power  to  make  us  comfortable.  The 
officers  are  kind ;  and  the  steward,  or  chief 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.     L  O  W  R  I  E.  197 

servant,  is  very  attentive  and  obliging. 
Have  we  not  much  to  be  thankful  for  ?  Will 
you  not  join  with  me  in  rendering  thanks 
to  the  Lord  for  all  he  has  done  for  us? 
Our  officers  and  passengers  respectfully  at- 
tend morning  and  evening  worship.  There 
is  another  cause  for  gratitude ;  we  have  a 
physician  on  board.  Dr.  Huffnagle  is  very 
attentive. 

Dearest  friend !  My  mother's  friend  and 
mine  !  It  is  needless  to  say  how  often  we 
talk  of  you,  how  often  I  dream  of  you,  and 
how  much  oftener  I  think  of  you.  Glad 
would  I  be  to  know  if  S.  's  health  is  restor- 
ed, or  if  she  is  going  swiftly  to  the  grave. 
I  sometimes  think  I  shall  meet  with  *  *  * 
M.  A.  and  S.  first.  They  all  seemed  near 
to  eternity  when  I  left  them.  I  do  not  now 
think  a  great  deal  about  India;  because  I 
hardly  expect  to  reach  there :  though  I  may 
be  spared.  The  Lord  will  direct,  and  I 
leave  it  with  him.  I  trust  he  will  choose 
suitable  labourers  for  the  heathen :  perhaps 
he  does  not  need  me.  If  so,  he  can  raise  up 
many  others  in  my  place.  I  have  written 
enough  for   this  time,  and  with    unceasing 


198  M  E  M  O  I  R     O  F 

love  to  you  and  to  all  dear  friends,  1  now 
say,  Farewell. 

Louisa  A.  Lowrie. 


LETTER    TO   HER    SISTER,    MRS.    A.   P.  C,    AT 
STEUBENVILLE. 

Ship  Star,  South  Atlantic  Ocean,      i 
S.  Lat,  18^,  August  13th,  1833.  \ 

My  Dear  Sister  A. 

Our  knowledge  of  each  others  situation  is 

about  equal.      Yoit  know  that,  if  living,  I 

am  wandering  somewhere  on  the  vast  ocean. 

And  I  know  that  you  are  somewhere  within 

the  bounds   of   North   America.      This  is 

rather  a  slight  acquaintance  with  our  affairs, 

to  satisfy  the  heart  that  once  gave  utterance 

to  the  sentiment, 

"  Together,  down  hfe's  swelling  tide, 
Oh  sweetly  may  our  vessels  glide  ; 
And  may  we  anchor  side  by  side, 
My  Sister !" 

But  still,  dear  A.,  though  in  life  our  ves- 
sels are  widely  separated,  we  may  hope  yet 
to  "  anchor  side  by  side''  on  the  shores  of 
the  heavenly  Canaan.      Thanks  to  the  Lord 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  199 

for  this  sweet  prospect !  It  is  sufficient  to 
cheer  us  in  the  darkest  hours  of  our  pilgri- 
mage. I  look  back  with  great  pleasure  on 
the  last  few  days  I  spent  v/ith  you ;  and  feel 
very  grateful  that  we  were  so  cheerful,  and 
enjoyed  each  other's  society  without  any 
painful  solicitude  about  the  final  separation 
soon  to  take  place.  I  do  thank  the  Lord  for 
that  visit.  I  was  encouraged,  in  view  of 
toils  I  might  have  to  undergo,  by  seeing  you 
so  cheerfull}^  adapt  yourself  to  circumstances, 
and  find  so  much  pleasure  in  the  service  of 
the  Lord  in  every  situation. 

August  15th. 
Again  I  sit  down  to  talk  with  you  a  short 
time,  dear  A.  We  have  just  spoken  a  whale 
ship,  four  months  from  New  Bedford.  This 
is  the  third  vessel  we  have  spoken  since  we 
left  Madeira.  It  is  perhaps  the  most  inte- 
resting occurrence  that  takes  place  at  sea. 
Where  there  is  so  little  variety,  so  little  to 
excite,  meeting  with,  and  speaking  to,  per- 
sons in  circumstances  similar  to  our  own,  is 
very  pleasant.  At^  one  time,  a  little  north 
of  the  Equator,  there  were  six  ships  in  sight, 
17 


200  MEMOIR     OF 

from  our  deck.  We  did  not  get  very  near 
any  but  two  of  them,  but  still  they  appear- 
ed like  company.  The  usual  route  to  India 
is  very  crooked.  First  we  sail  an  easterly 
course  almost  as  far  as  Africa ;  then  west  to 
a  point  almost  in  sight  of  South  America  ; 
then  very  far  south  of  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  before  we  double  it.  This  zigzag 
course  is  adopted  in  the  outward  passage,  in 
order  to  secure  favourable  winds.  In  the 
homeward  passage,  the  course  is  much  more 
direct.  You  have  doubtless  heard  of  me 
before  this  time,  and  know  of  our  pleasant 
stay  at  Madeira.  But,  agreeably  as  we  were 
situated,  we  all  preferred  to  be  on  our  way, 
at  the  rate  of  seven  knots  an  hour,  towards 
our  destined  port.  I  did  not  expect  to  feel 
so  patient  and  contented  during  the  voyage: 
but  we  are  all  favoured  with  freedom  from 
care  and  anxiety.  Surely  it  is  the  m^ost 
pleasant  of  all  frames  of  mind,  just  to  com- 
mit all  things  to  the  Lord,  knowing  no  will 
but  his." — [^She  left  this  letter  unfinish- 
ed.-] 

After  the  ship  had  made  the  region  of  the 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     LOWRIE.  201 

€ape  of  Good  Hope,  where  the  weather 
was  rather  cold,  her  cough  became  much 
worse  ;  and  it  was  now  quite  apparent  that 
disease  was  slowly,  but  surely,  wasting  her 
strength.  She  herself  did  not  anticipate 
from  the  first,  any  recovery,  and  long  before 
had  commenced  setting  her  house  in  order, 
and  preparing  for  her  last  change.  "  Familiar 
thoughts  slope  the  way  to  death,"  a  remark 
she  had  written  on  a  blank  leaf  of  her  Tes- 
tament, seemed  to  express  the  employment 
of  her  mind,  and  the  composing  influence 
of  timely  preparation. 

EXTRACT     or    A     LETTER    FROM    THE     REV. 
JOHN  C.  LOWRIE  TO  HIS  FATHER. 

Sept.  Sth,  LaU  37°  S.,  Long.  42=>  E. 
My  Dear  Father  : 

I  again  take  my  pen  to  communicate  some 
particulars  of  our  voyage.  Since  I  last  wrote 
we  have  been  in  the  very  gates  of  death, 
with  scarcely  any  hope  that  our  lives  would 
be  preserved.  We  w^ere  about  200  miles 
south  of  the  Cape  yesterday  week.  On 
Monday  last  the  wind  blew  very  fresh ;  and 
by  three  o'clock  the  next  morning,  (about 


202  MEMOIR     OF 

the  time  Christians  were  assembled  at  the 
monthly  concert  in  America,)  the  gale  was 
very  strong.  No  description  I  have  ever 
read  presents  to  the  mind  any  adequate  idea 
of  the  sublime  terror  of  such  a  scene.  The 
waves  were  very  high ;  and  the  wind  was 
so  strong,  that  it  carried  the  tops  of  the 
broken  waves,  in  large  drops  and  mist,  for  a 
great  distance  in  a  horizontal  direction.  If 
you  imagine,  in  addition  to  this,  the  extreme 
danger  of  our  situation,  you  may  have  some 
faint  idea  of  our  feelings.  The  first  mate 
told  me,  that  it  was  the  hardest  gale  he  had 
seen  for  six  years ;  and  all  our  cabin  passen- 
gers, including  our  experienced  captain,  con- 
curred in  calling  it  a  very  hard  gale  :  such 
as  they  suppose  will  occasion  the  loss  of 
some  ships. 

In  the  midst  of  all,  our  little  company 
were  mercifully  kept  in  peace.  At  one 
time,  when  a  tremendous  wave  broke,  and 
spent  its  force  under  the  ship's  stern,  causing 
the  vessel  to  stagger  and  shake  in  every 
joint,  I  felt  a  momentar}^'  misgiving.  It 
seemed  as  if  we  were  then  going  down  into 
the  depths  of  the  ocean  :  but  immediately  I 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.    L  0  W  R  I  E.  203 

tried  to  look  away  from  the  danger  around 
to  the  Lord  Jesus ;  and,  blessed  be  his  name! 
I  felt  calm  and  at  peace. 

We  are  still  in  usual  health  except  Louisa. 
She  seems  to  be  fast  sinking  under  the 
disease ;  and  it  is  even  doubtful  whether  she 
will  live  to  reach  Calcutta.  Oh  Lord, "  if 
this  cup  may  not  pass  from  me,  thy  holy 
will  be  done  !" 

The  warm  latitude  into  which  the  ship 
entered  on  doubling  the  Cape  had  the  effect 
of  mitigating  the  more  violent  symptoms, 
and  no  doubt  prolonged  her  days ;  though 
she  was  now  so  feeble  that  even  her  nearest 
friend,  anxious  as  he  was  to  indulge  hope, 
had  to  abandon  all  expectations  of  recovery. 
And  henceforth  her  companions  could  only 
watch,  with  painful  but  unavailing  interest, 
her  daily  progress  to  the  grave. 

NOTE  TO  MRS.  R.   C   OF  FAYETTE  CO.  PA. 
Indian  Ocean,  Sept.  26zA,  1833. 
It  is  a  long  time  since  I  have  written  to 
you,  dear  Mrs.  C. ;  and  in  the  mean  time  we 
have  passed  from  one  ocean  to  another.  We 
17* 


204  MEMOIR      OP 

have  had  short  days  and  long  nights,  and 
some  weeks  of  complete  winter  weather  ; 
and  also  have  encountered  two  fearful  storms. 
It  is  awful,  indeed,  to  see  so  small  a  vessel 
tossed  about  at  the  mercy  of  such  tremen- 
dous winds  and  waves.  But  through  the 
goodness  of  God,  we  were  kept  from  fear  ; 
knowing  that  we  were  in  the  hands  of  Him 
who  rules  both  winds  and  waves.  It  ap- 
pears almost  miraculous  that  we  escaped 
death.  I  did  not  myself  see  much  of  the 
storm ;  and  during  the  cold  weather  I 
thought  it  best  to  lie  in  bed  most  of  the 
time,  to  keep  warm.  We  are  again  in  plea- 
sant weather,  with  favouring  breezes,  and 
hope  to  see  land  in  about  three  weeks.  I 
am  very  weak,  but  suffer  no  pain,  except 
occasionally,  under  my  shoulder.  I  have 
more  comforts  on  board  ship,  than  you  would 
suppose :  and  I  may  say  it  to  you,  because 
I  know  you  will  not  misinterpret  me,  and 
will  be  glad  to  hear  it,  that  my  dear  husband 
is  as  kind  and  minute  in  his  attentions  to  me 
in  my  sickness,  as  even  you  could  desire. 
Farewell 

L.  A.  LowRiE. 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.     LOWRIE.  205 

Owing  to  extreme  feebleness  she  now  sel- 
dom attempted  to  write.  From  a  very  short 
letter  to  two  ladies  at  Pittsburgh,  \ye  extract 
a  single  paragraph;  which  will  be  read  with 
the  greater  interest,  when  it  is  known  that 
these  are  the  last  lines  she  ever  wrote. 
They  afford  pleasing  evidence  that  she  was 
<' faithful  unto  death." 

"  We  hope  to  reach  land  in  a  few  days.  I 
rejoice  at  the  prospect,  though  I  believe  it  is 
only  while  on  the  sea  that  my  life  can  be 
prolonged.  Sister  Reed  grieves  at  the  pros- 
pect of  being  without  a  female  companion. 
I  hope  she  may  not  be  left  long  alone,  but 
that  others  will  soon  follow  us.  Although  I 
may  be  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  my  days, 
without  having  done  any  thing  for  the  poor 
heathen,  still  I  hope  others  may  not  be  de- 
terred from  doing  their  duty.  I  will  not 
attempt  to  write  more  now.  If  I  have  life 
and  strength  spared,  1  shall  try  to  finish  this 
letter  at  Calcutta.  Until  then,  dear  friends, 
farewell." 

The  following  extracts  from  the  notes, 
taken  by  her  husband  at  the  time,  will  show 


206  M  E  M  0  I  R    0  F 

the  state  of  her  mind  in  the  prospect  of 
death. 

Indian  Ocean,  Lat.  2"=  N.,  Long.  82°  E. 

Oct.  2d,  1833.* — On  my  expressing  a 
hope  that  possibly  her  life  might  j^et  be 
spared,  she  replied,  "  I  do  not  wish  that. — 
I  do  not  want  to  travel  over  the  road  again, 
after  being  so  near  the  end."  And,  in  re- 
ference to  her  life  being  prolonged  until  we 
should  reach  Calcutta,  she  said,  that  she  felt 
no  solicitude  about  it ;  and  did  not  wish  to 
pray  for  it,  lest  it  might  not  be  for  the  best. 

On  my  telling  her  that  our  connexion  had 
been  of  great  benefit  to  me;  and,  I  had  no 
doubt,  if  my  life  were  spared,  would  con- 
tribute to  my  greater  usefulness;  she  ob- 
served, "The  assurance  of  that  far  more 
than  repays  all."  She  had  before  said,  as 
she  said  frequently,  that  she  did  not  regret 
having  engaged  in  this  work. 

I  asked,  if  she  felt  regret  that  she  was 
prevented  from  engaging  in  personal  labour 


*  Thqre  was  very  little  hope  of  her  being  spared, 
through  this  day. 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.    LOWRIE.  207 

among  the  heathen.  "No:  the  Lord  sees 
it  best  that  I  should  not — perhaps  I  am  not 
a  fit  person;  and  perhaps  he  may  use  my 
example  to  raise  up  others  to  fill  my  place." 
Throughout  this  day  her  mind  was  in  great 
peace. — Expressed  herself  as  quite  willing  to 
die  to-night,  if  the  Lord  should  send  for  her. 

October  2d,  Thursday. — I  read  the  21st 
and  part  of  the  22d  chapter  of  Revelations. 
"She  remarks,  "  The  hearing  of  these  things 
makes  me  impatient  to  be  gone."  Again, 
when  speaking  of  the  possibility  of  recovery, 
"  I  seem  to  have  got  almost  up  to  the  gate. 
To  dwell  in  the  land  of  Beulah  would  not  be 
pleasant  compared  with  heaven ; — but  it  is 
not  desirable  to  think  of  returning  to  the 
cares  and  sins  of  life." 

Oct.  6th,  Sabbath,  Lat.  12°  40'  N.—\xv 
the  afternoon  we  administered  the  sacrament 
of  the  Lord's  supper.  At  the  time,  she  said 
that  she  had  not  enjoyed  as  much  comfort  as 
on  some  former  occasions.  In  the  evening 
I  asked  her  if  she  could  calmly  lie  down 
and  sleep,  not  knowing  whether  she  should 
again  awake.  She  answered.  "Yes:  I  feel 
that  confidence  at  all  times." 


208  MEMOIR    OF 

They  arrived  at  Calcutta  on  the  15th  of 
October,  where  she  received  every  atten- 
tion from  the  affectionate  and  Christian 
sympathy  of  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Pearce  and 
lady,  of  the  Baptist  mission,  in  whose  kind 
and  generous  hospitahty  they  shared.  There 
she  lingered  in  much  feebleness  and  great 
pain  until  the  hour  of  her  departure.*     The 


*  Mr.  Pearce  is  a  son  of  the  late  Rev.  Samuel 
Pearce,  of  Birmingham,  England,  whose  Memoirs 
have  been  so  favourably  received  in  this  country. 

Some  verses  written  by  this  beloved  Missionary, 
and  presented  to  Mrs.  Lowrie,  will  be  read  with  in- 
terest.    They  happily  express  a  most  precious  truth. 

To  my  dear  Christian  Friend,  Mrs.  L.  A.  Lowrie. 

A  CONSOLATORY  THOUGHT. 

"David  to  build  the  house  desired ; 

Yet  was  his  wish  denied  : 
*'T\va8  in  thy  heart,'  Jehovah  said, 

'  With  that  I'm  satisfied.' 

So  didst  thou  wish,  beloved  friend. 

To  raise  his  temple  here. 
God  has  the  pious  wish  approved. 

And  thou  his  love  shalt  share,  » 

God  needs  us  not :  were  all  removed. 

His  temple  must  arise. 
Then,  as  /le  wills,  we'll  serve  on  earth. 

Or  triumph  in  the  skies.'' 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.     LOWRIE.  209 

following  further  extracts  from  the  notes, 
taken  down  by  her  afflicted  husband,  at  her 
bed  side,  will  be  interesting  to  the  reader. 


November  9th,  Calcutta. — Last  night 
my  dear  wife  had  much  fever  and  severe 
pains.  At  one  time  she  wondered  if  she 
would  find  *  *t  in  heaven,  when  she  ar- 
rived there.  This  led  to  a  conversation  re- 
specting different  friends  who  might  be 
there :  some  of  them  very  unexpectedly  to 
us.  At  length  I  remarked  that,  whoever 
was  absent,  the  blessed  Saviour  would  be 
there.  "  Oh  yes !  yes  !  yes  !"  she  replied, 
'^and  that  w^ill  make  up  for  all  other 
friends." 

Nov.  12th. — She  complained  of  heart 
sickness. — Has  been  very  feeble,  and  hard- 
ly able  to  speak  above  her  breath ; — her 
mind  cheerful.  She  joined  with  me  in 
singing  the  Hymn,  "  How  vain  are  all 
things  here  below,"  and,  at  her  request, 
Mrs.  R.  and  myself  sung  "  Jerusalem  my 
happy  home ;"  a  favourite  hymn. 


t  A  beloved  sister-iii-law,  whom  she  left  in  very- 
feeble  health  in  America. 


210  MEMOIR    OF 

Afterwards  she  said,  "  I  am  afraid  I  have 
set  my  heart  too  much  on  going  to  night;" 
and  then  expressed  a  willingness  to  wait  the 
Lord's  time. 

She  expressed  a  deep  sense  of  her  own 
unworthiness,  and  her  hope  and  confidence 
of  being  accepted  for  the  Saviour's  sake. 

Nov  1 5th. — Louisa  is  better  to-day,  and 
her  mind  is  very  cheerful.  Almost  the 
whole  day  a  smile  played  over  her  pallid  fea- 
tures. She  said  that  when  her  mind  was 
active  it  was  almost  constantly  resting  upon 
Jesus. 

Nov.  16 th. — My  dear  wife  has  been  ap- 
parently on  the  verge  of  the  grave  to-day, 
being  very  feeble  indeed.  Extremities  and 
forehead  cold — and  a  cold  perspiration  on 
her  face.  Her  mind  still  cheerful  and  com- 
posed. Dr.  G.  supposed  it  scarcely  pro- 
bable that  she  would  live  through  the  day. 
When  at  her  own  request,  she  was  inform- 
ed of  this  opinion,  she  exclaimed,  "  0  bless- 
ed hope  !"  In  the  afternoon  she  revived  a 
little,  and  then  expressed  *^  her  fear  that  the 
Lord  would  not  take  her  to-day." 

Nov.  2lst. — In  the  morning  I  addressed 


MRS.     LOUISA    A.     L  0  W  R  I  E.  211 

her  with  "  The  Lord  bless  thee,  my  dearest 
wife,  and  keep  thee  this  day  !"  She  im- 
mediately added,  "  And  take  me  to  him- 
self!" I  asked,  "  Does  your  mind  feel  no 
disquietude  about  dying  far  from  home  and 
friends  ?"  "  No  :  it  is  as  easy  to  die  here 
as  there."  "Do  you  still  feel  no  fear  of 
death  .?"     "  No  :  not  any." 

In  the  evening  she  desired  me  to  seek 
some  rest.  I  lay  down,  but  tried  in  vain  to 
sleep,  and  rose  about  8  o'clock.  Soon  after, 
she  wished  me  toallow  Nancy,  [the  coloured 
woman]  to  retire  and  attend  to  some  of  her 
own  matters.  Still  she  rested  with  her 
usual  ease,  excepting  from*  her  side,  which 
had  become  sore  from  continual  lying  on 
it.  I  was  reading  by  her  bed-side  a  review 
of  Southey's  life  of  Bunyan  ;  and  had  just 
read  a  quotation  from  the  Pilgrim's  Pro- 
gress, where,  after  he  had  seen  the  pilgrims 
enter  the  heavenly  city,  he  adds,  "  Which, 
when  I  had  seen,  I  wished  myself  among 
them," — when  she  gave  a  sudden  moan, 
and  washed  me  to  raise  her  up.  This  I 
immediately  did,  placing  myself  in  the  bed, 
and  supporting  her  head  on  a  pillow  in  my 
18 


2VZ  MEMOIR    OF 

lap.  She  wished  to  be  raised  higher ;  and 
her  pain  being  most  acute,  caused  her  to  cry 
out.  I  raised  her  head  so  that  she  reclined 
On  my  breast.  By  this  time,  brothers  Reed, 
Winslow,  and  others  came  in.  She  was  in 
very  great  pain,  similar  to  that  experienced 
ten  days  ago,  except  that  this  was  seated 
more  in  the  region  of  the  heart.  Brother 
W.  then  held  her  head,  while  I  supported 
her  in  my  arms.  It  was  now  apparent  that 
she  was  going;  we  mentioned  some  brief 
passages  of  Scripture,  as  "  My  flesh  and  my 
heart  faileth,  but  God  is  the  strength  of  my 
heart,"  &c.  She  said,  "Is  this  dying?" 
and  soon  after,  "0  my  Saviour!"  Her 
breathing  then  became  more  free,  and  her 
pain  less,  until  directly,  her  head  resting  on 
my  face  and  shoulder,  she  gently  breathed 
her  last  about  half  past  nine  o'clock,  P.  M. 
The  dying  struggle  was  not  more  than  ten 
minutes  in  duration.  Brother  Winslow  and 
myself  had  both  been  offering,  aloud,  short 
prayers  to  the  Saviour  to  support  and  to 
receive  her  ;  and  immediately  afterwards, 
brother  W.  led  us  all  in  an  appropriate  and 
affectionate  prayer,  thanking  the  Lord  for 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  213 

his  goodness  to  her,  and  sup])licating  grace 
to  sustain  and  sanctify  her  bereaved  partner 
and  friends. 


LETTER  FROM  REV.  JOHN  C.  LOWRIE  TO  HON. 
E.  C.  W^ILSON,  AT  WASHINGTON  CITY. 

Howrah,  opposite  Calcutta,  Nov.  26, 1833. 

My  Dear  Brother. 

I  hope  you  will  have  received  my  letter 
by  the  Virginia,  before  this  arrives ;  and 
that  your  mind  will  be  in  some  measure 
prepared  to  hear  sad  tidings.  Truly  we 
live  in  a  world  where  there  is  much  to  dis- 
tress, and  very  much  to  induce  us  not  to 
place  our  affections  on  things  below,  but  to 
have  our  hearts  in  heaven.  Every  removal 
of  a  Christian  friend,  and  especially  of  a  be- 
loved relative  who  is  taken  from  this  dark 
scene  to  an  eternal  abode  in  the  regions  of 
blessedness,  should  make  us  feel  more  in- 
different to  this  life,  and  more  anxious  to  en- 
joy that  rest  into  which  they  have  entered. 
There  is  no  sorrow,  because  there  is  no  sin  : 
the7'e  is  no  mournful  separation,  but  endless 
communion  in  the  world  of  light  Then 
*  Why  do  we  mourn  departing  friends?'    We 


214  MEMOIR     OF 

may  not  weep  for  them,  however  we  may- 
weep  for  ourselves. 

I  trust  all  our  dear  friends  will  be  in  some 
measure  prepared  to  hear  of  Louisa's  de- 
parture. Her  spirit  took  its  upward  flight 
on  last  Thursday  evening.  [After  mention- 
ing the  particulars  of  her  death  which  have 
already  been  given,  Mr.  L.  continues  :]  On 
the  following  day,  (Friday  22di^)  her  mortal 
remains  were  committed  to  the  grave  in  the 
Scotch  burial-ground,  just  as  the  sun  was 
sinking  below  the  horizon.  I  could  not  but 
think  that,  like  that  luminary,  her  body 
shall  re-appear  ;  clothed  with  immortality, 
and  shining  in  new  beauty  and  glory,  long 
after  the  sun  and  the  moon  shall  have  faded 
away  in  the  heavens.  Her  closing  hours  on 
earth  were  peace  :  now  she  rests  with  the 
Lord,  and  evermore  will  be  happy  as  she  is 
glorious. 

I  cannot  sufficiently  express  my  deep 
gratitude  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pearce  and  lady, 
for  their  afiectionate  sympathy  and  great 
kindness.  I  hope  the  Lord  will  reward 
them.  I  was  also  truly  grateful  to  N.  R., 
a   coloured    woman,  originally   from    New 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     L  0  W  R  I  E.         215 

York,  for  her  kind,  faithful  services.  To 
brother  Winslow  also  I  feel  deeply  in- 
debted :  he  has,  not  long  since,  been  called 
to  part  with  his  own  dear  wife.  Brother 
and  sister  Reed  deeply  feel  our  common 
loss. 

But  oh !  my  dear  brother,  what  shall  I 
say  respecting  myself?  God  only  knows 
the  intense  bitterness  of  heart  I  have  felt. 
At  times  a  choking  sensation,  and  a  cold  de- 
solation and  sinking  of  heart,  quite  over- 
power me.  Yet  I  would  not,  if  I  could 
bring  her  back  to  this  sorrowful  world. 
Rather,  if  we  love  her,  should  we  rejoice, 
as  the  Saviour  taught  his  disciples  to  do  re- 
specting himself,  for  she  too  is  gone  '  to  the 
Father.'  Nor  would  I  murmur:  certainly 
the  Lord  is  still  as  good  as  he  is  sovereign 
and  wise;  and  he  is  still  our  Heavenly 
Father.  The  Saviour  is  still  a  most  affec- 
tionate and  sympathizing  brother,  and  the 
Holy  Spirit  is  still  a  blessed  comforter.  Oh 
no !  I  would  not  murmur.  But  I  would 
greatly  rejoice  to  be  prepared,  as  she  was, 
to  die ;  and  then  to  be  taken  home  (for  alas! 
I  am  more  than  solitary  and  a  stranger  on 
18* 


216  MEMOIR     OF 

earth)  to  the  same  blessed  mansion  of  glory : 
and  with  my  dearest  wife  there,  and  my 
dear  departed  mother,  and  other  beloved 
friends,  evermore  to  praise  the  Saviour,  and 
rejoice  perfectly  in  him. 

May  this  most  severe  dispensation  be 
sanctified  to  us  all !  Oh  may  the  Lord  God 
of  our  fathers,  and  of  our  glorified  friends, 
guard  and  guide  you  all  through  life,  sustain 
and  comfort  you  in  death,  and  receive  you 
all  to  his  own  glory  above  !  And  may  I  too, 
however  unworthy,  be  a  partaker  of  the 
same  grace  and  glory  ! 

Your  truly  affectionate  brother, 

John  C.  Lowrie. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  MR.  LOWRIE 
TO  MISS  J.  I.  P.  AND  MISS  C.  B.  OF  MOR- 
GANTOWN. 

"  It  seemed  strange  that  she  [Mrs.  L.] 
should  lose  strength  faster  while  at  the 
island  of  Madeira  than  on  board  ship :  for 
it  is  customary  for  English  physicians  to 
send  consumptive  persons  there,  as  to  a 
place  of  health.  While  there,  we  usually 
took  a  walk  in  the  morning  before  break- 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.    L  0  W  R  I  E  .  217 

fast;  and  I  can  truly  say  tliat  the  recollec- 
tion of  those  frequent  rambles,  among  the 
vineyards,  the  orange  and  the  fig-trees,  will 
never  fade  from  my  mind.  She  seemed  so 
happy,  and  her  mind  was  so  heavenly,  that 
it  was  impossible  not  to  imbibe,  at  least,  a 
portion  of  her  spirit.  I  have  referred  to 
our  sojourn  on  that  island  to  prepare  the 
way  for  a  remark  which  has  impressed  my 
mind  : — that  while  there  she  was  fast  ripen- 
ing for  a  better  world ;  and  also^  that,  from 
her  not  being  so  well  (even  at  Madeira)  on 
land  as  at  sea,  it  seems  quite  probable  her 
days  would  have  been  much  few^er,  had  she 
remained  in  the  changeable,  unfriendly  cli- 
mate of  the  United  States.  It  is  certain  that 
she  failed  more  rapidly  after  we  reached 
Calcutta,  although  we  have  had  delightful 
weather;  (excepting  the  two  first  weeks 
which  were  rather  warm)  the  cool  season 
having  commenced  about  the  time  we  ar- 
rived. While  on  ship-board,  there  certain- 
ly were  inconveniences  and  restraints  which 
were  irksome  especially  to  a  sick  person. 
Yet  we  had  so  many  comforts  and  so  many 
privileges,  beyond  what  are  common,  that  I 


218  M  EM  OIR    OF 

think  none  of  us  felt  disposed  to  complain 
or  repine.  The  noise  on  deck,  from  the 
men  working,  annoyed  me  more  I  believe 
than  it  did  her ;  for  I  had  not  her  patience 
nor  her  grace.  It  was  well  for  us  that  we 
had  a  kind-hearted  captain,  who  was  quite 
fatherly  in  his  care  of  us,  and  a  physician 
who  felt  a  deep  interest  in  her  recovery. 
Dr.  H.  was  unwearied  in  his  efforts  to  afford 
relief:  for  a  long  time  rising  every  night  at 
the  hours  of  12  and  4,  to  administer  the 
medicines.  Indeed  it  was  the  happy  talent 
of  my  dear,  dear  wife  to  engage  the  affec- 
tions of  all  w^ho  were  around  her.  The 
steward  was  quite  anxious  to  serve  her, 
often  preparing  things  of  his  own  accord  : 
all  the  men  seemed  to  sympathize  with  her. 
I  mention  these  things  knowing  that  you 
will  feel  an  interest  in  every  particular  con- 
nected with  one  so  dearly  beloved. 

J.  C.  LOWRIE. 


The  following  is  the  inscription  on  a  black 
marble  tablet,  inserted  in  a  head-stone  in  the 
Scotch  burial-ground,  Calcutta. 


MRS.     LOUISA     A.     L  O  W  R  1  E.  219 

SacrtJJ 

to  the  memorg  oC 
LOUISA    ANN, 

THE  BELOVED  WIFE  OF  THE 

REV.  JOHN  C.  LOWRIE, 

AMERICAN  missionary; 
WHO  DIED  NOV.  21sT,  1833; 

AGED  24   YEARS. 

She  was  lovely  in   life, 

and  peaceful  in  death ; 

now  she  is  blessed. 

Rev.  xiv.  13. 


Thus  has  closed  the  short  but  brilliant 
career  of  another  eminent  Christian,  another 
devoted  missionar}^  We  may  not  weep  for 
her.  Oh  no!  but  we  may  weep  for  our- 
selves. She  has  left  many  affectionate  friends 
whose  hearts  were  "bound  up"  in  her  life: 


220  MEMOIR    OF 

she  has  left  her  dear  companions  in  the  mis- 
sion, and  her  husband  solitary  and  desolate 
in  heart;  and  she  has  been  taken  from  the 
service  of  the  poor,  dying  heathen.  Like 
Harriet  Newell  she  was  only  permitted  to 
see  the  wretched  beings  whom  she  went  to 
teach;  and  her  prayers  for  their  conversion 
ascended  from  the  midst  of  the  heathen; 
and  like  the  same  sainted  missionary  (whom 
in  many  respects  she  much  resembled)  it  has 
been  her  lot  to  seal,  by  an  early  death,  her 
testimony  to  the  unspeakable  importance  of 
the  enterprise  for  the  conversion  of  the 
world.  The  compiler  of  these  memoirs 
might  say  much  of  the  solidity  of  her  mental 
endowments,  of  the  sweetness  of  her  dis- 
position, and  of  the  pure  and  elevated  cha- 
racter of  her  piety:  and  he  might  say  all 
this  from  his  personal  knowledge,  for  she 
was  in  a  great  measure  brought  up  under  his 
ministry,  and  received  the  baptismal  rite 
from  his  hands.  But  he  has  preferred  that 
her  various  excellencies  should,  as  far  as 
possible,  appear  through  the  medium  of  her 
own  writings.  He  must  however  say  that 
highly  as  she  was  prized  and  beloved  by  all 


MRS.    LOUISA    A.    L  O  W  R  I  E.  221 

that  knew  her  here,  a  perusal  of  her  private 
papers  has  satisfied  him  that  her  true  value 
was  known  only  in  heaven.  Few,  very- 
few,  have  ever  felt  so  ardent  a  desire  to  make 
known  the  way  of  salvation  to  the  perishing 
heathen,  and  still  fewer  have  possessed  such 
distinguished  qualifications  for  the  work. 
Among  the  last  expressions  of  her  feeling 
on  this  subject,  when  she  found  that  her 
dearly  cherished  hopes  were  about  to  be 
disappointed,  was  this,  "  I  do  pray_tha^the 
cause  jof^ God  may  prosper,  whatever  be-_ 
comes  of  me."  May  a  kindred  spirit  per- 
vade the  entire  church !  Then,  tliough  one 
or  many  fall,  more  will  arise  to  fill  their 
places,  and  the  w^ork  of  the  Lord  will  go 
forward.  Then  "  the  Lord  ivill  make  hare 
his  holy  arm  in  the  eyes  of  all  nations ; 
and  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  see  the 
salvation  of  our  God.'' 


THE  END. 


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